A review on electrode and electrolyte for lithium ion batteries under low temperature

Under low temperature (LT) conditions (-80 degrees C similar to 0 degrees C), lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) may experience the formation of an extensive solid electrolyte interface (SEI), which can cause a series of detrimental effects such as Li+ deposition and irregular dendritic filament growth on the electrolyte surface. These issues ultimately lead to the degradation of the LT performance of LIBs. As a result, new electrode/electrolyte materials are necessary to address these challenges and enable the proper functioning of LIBs at LT. Given that most electrochemical reactions in lithium-ion batteries occur at the electrode/electrolyte interface, finding solutions to mitigate the negative impact caused by SEI is crucial to improve the LT performance of LIBs. In this article, we analyze and summarize the recent studies on electrode and electrolyte materials for low temperature lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). These materials include both metallic materials like tin, manganese, and cobalt, as well as non-metallic materials such as graphite and graphene. Modified materials, such as those with nano or alloying characteristics, generally exhibit better properties than raw materials. For instance, Sn nanowire-Si nanoparticles (SiNPs-In-SnNWs) and tin dioxide carbon nanotubes (SnO2@CNT) have faster Li+ transport rates and higher reversible capacity at LT. However, it ' s important to note that when operating under LT, the electrolyte may solidify, leading to difficulty in Li+ transmission. The compatibility between the electrolyte and electrode can affect the formation of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and the stability of the electrode/electrolyte system. Therefore, a good electrode/electrolyte system is crucial for successful operation of LIBs at LT.