Functional Electrolytes: Game Changers for Smart Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices

Abstract

Electrochemical energy storage (EES) devices integrated with smart functions are highly attractive for powering the next‐generation electronics in the coming era of artificial intelligence. In this regard, exploiting functional electrolytes represents a viable strategy to realize smart functions in EES devices. In this review, recent advances in the development of functional electrolytes for smart EES devices like rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors are presented. Various stimulus‐responsive electrolytes are first summarized, including temperature‐, mechanical force‐, voltage‐, magnetism‐, and light‐responsive electrolytes. Emphasis is placed on the working principles of stimulus‐responsive electrolytes and their specific problem‐solving functions in EES devices. Then, the latest advances in electrochromic and self‐healing electrolytes used for smart EES devices are discussed. Finally, key challenges and research opportunities related to functional electrolyte design and smart EES device development are envisioned, with the goal of accelerating further research in this thriving field.

Ionogel‐Based Membranes for Safe Lithium/Sodium Batteries

“…Recently, a wide variety of functional electrolytes have emerged, including stimulus‐responsive electrolytes that can respond to the change in temperature, mechanical force, voltage, light, and magnetism. [ 136 ] Electrochromic electrolytes can provide a straightforward visualization for the energy‐storage state of devices. Self‐healing electrolytes can repair the damage to the battery to ensure a long‐time operation and safety.…”

Ion transport in composite polymer electrolytes

“…Since the interfacial regions between ceramic fillers and the polymer matrix have a significant contribution to the whole ionic conduction, the particle size, associated with the surface area of fillers, plays an important role in the enhancement of ion transport. 89,90 Zhang et al 91 investigated the size effect of the LLZTO fillers on the ionic conduction in composite polymer electrolytes, and discovered that the percolation threshold decreased and the ionic conductivity increased with a decrease in the particle size. Therefore, smaller particles lead to an increase of the coherent interfacial conduction pathways and the consequent enhancement of the ionic conductivity in the case of the same amount of inorganic fillers.…”

Spinel LiMn2O4 Cathode Materials in Wide Voltage Window: Single-Crystalline versus Polycrystalline

“…Recently, LIBs are also emerging as promising energy storage device for electric vehicles (EVs). Nevertheless, the requirement of higher specific energy and improved safety for automotive LIBs is far from over due to the range and safety concerns of EVs [1][2][3]. A natural pathway to improve the energy densities of automotive LIBs is to increase the reversible capacities of the cathode materials.…”