The electronic market starves for efficient batteries and high energy density at low temperatures. The electrolyte serves as the sole medium for ion transport within a battery and directly determines its fundamental functionality. Its role is irreplaceable, as it governs critical performance parameters such as ionic conductivity, electrochemical stability, and compatibility with electrodes. In this study, we designed a lithiated carboxylated fullerene that was incorporated as an electrolyte additive for low‐temperature lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries, which not only facilitates a high loading of active materials but also accelerates the sluggish electrochemical kinetics observed at reduced temperatures. Additionally, the lithiated carboxylated fullerene additive helps mitigate dendrite formation and reduces the clustering of lithium polysulfides. Consequently, the capacity of Li 2 S 6 @CNT cathode with a loading mass of 10 mg cm −2 could reach the capacity of 546.8 mAh g −1 at 0.05 C under −40°C. This work provides some initial insight that could be useful for the eventual development of high‐sulfur‐loading Li–S batteries at low temperatures, with possible relevance to extreme‐environment energy storage in the future.
Zhao et al. (Mon,) studied this question.