Reviving Low-Temperature Performance of Lithium Batteries by Emerging Electrolyte Systems

Although lithium batteries have been successfully commercialized in the past two decades,they are particularly sensitive to ultralow temperatures.For most batteries,capacities and powers are lost at sub-zero temperatures,mainly due to the increased electrolyte viscosity,insufficient ionic conduction,slow charge-transfer kinetics,and reduced ion diffusing constant.In this review,we sorted out the critical factors leading to the poor low-temperature performance of electrolytes,and the comprehensive research progress of emerging electrolyte systems for the ultra-low temperature lithium battery is classified and highlighted.We further provide a systematic summary of the advanced characterization and computational simulation for low-temperature electrolyte systems to guide researchers in screening the low-temperature electrolytes,monitoring solvation/desolvation behavior,and investigating reaction mechanisms.Besides their fundamental significance,our review might also forge a new opportunity and prospects in the effective design of electrolytes for the ultralow temperature application of energy storage devices.