Branch-Chain-Rich Diisopropyl Ether with Steric Hindrance Facilitates Stable Cycling of Lithium Batteries at − 20 °C

Li metal batteries (LMBs) offer significant potential as high energy density alternatives; nevertheless, their performance is hindered by the slow desolvation process of electrolytes, particularly at low temperatures (LT), leading to low coulombic efficiency and limited cycle stability. Thus, it is essential to optimize the solvation structure thereby achieving a rapid desolvation process in LMBs at LT. Herein, we introduce branch chain-rich diisopropyl ether (DIPE) into a 2.5 M Li bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide dipropyl ether (DPE) electrolyte as a co-solvent for high-performance LMBs at - 20 °C. The incorporation of DIPE not only enhances the disorder within the electrolyte, but also induces a steric hindrance effect form DIPE's branch chain, excluding other solvent molecules from Li