Recent Advances in Electrolytes for Enabling Lithium-Ion Batteries across a Wide Temperature Range

A persistent challenge for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is operation under extreme environments, where temperatures can exceed −40 and 60 °C. At the same time, a growing number of high-impact applications require batteries that demonstrate longevity and high performance during low- and high-temperature operation, such as vehicle electrification, polar expeditions, and satellites/spacecraft. The discovery of novel electrolytes is therefore critical for developing next-generation energy storage solutions to widen operational capabilities beyond current technologies. Though trade-offs exist for targeting either low- or high-temperature performance, solutions that address both operational domains simultaneously are still sparse. In this Perspective, we highlight recent advancements in electrolyte formulations that enable a wide operating temperature window beyond −20 and 60 °C. Emerging research in fluorinated electrolytes, liquefied gas electrolytes, ionic liquids, and even aqueous chemistries offers a unique approach to overcoming this trade-off between low- and high-temperature operation of LIBs. The works highlighted in this Perspective present an exciting direction in the energy storage field that provides potential electrochemical solutions where engineering solutions may become exhausted.