Recently, a research paper entitled "Entropy-Driven Solvation toward Low-Temperature Sodium-Ion Batteries with Temperature-Adaptive Feature" by Professor You Ya's team from the International School of Materials Science and Engineering (School of Materials and Microelectronics)was published in the internationally renowned materials journal Advanced Materials(Adv. Mater.2023,2301817), which gained significant attention in the field. The research was selected as a Research Highlight and reported entitled "A battery electrolyte adapts to the cold" by the journal, Nature Review Materials. The report highly appreciated the concept of temperature-adaptive electrolyte design of the paper.

Figure 1 Highlight Report of Nature Reviews Materials

The study widened the end-use temperature range of the electrolyte by adjusting the solvation entropy in a mixed solvent of strong solvation (SS) and weak solvation (WS). The solvation structure of the electrolyte could spontaneously transform at low temperatures, avoiding salt precipitation and giving the electrolyte temperature-adaptive characteristics. The results of the study indicate that this temperature-adaptive electrolyte ensures excellent low-temperature performance of the hard carbon||Na2/3Ni1/4Cu1/12Mn2/3O2 full battery, with a capacity retention of 90.6% after 400 cycles at -40°C. This achievement highlights the importance of entropy adjustment and provides a new perspective for designing low-temperature electrolytes.

Figure 2 Design strategy of low-temperature electrolytes

Professor Youya and her research team have made significant contributions in the field of advanced secondary batteries under extreme conditions. Their earlier work introduced a low freezing point cyclic ether as a water-removing agent for low-temperature electrolytes (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed.,2023,62, e202300238). They also addressed the issue of oxygen evolution and the resulting safety and electrochemical performance deterioration in high-voltage cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries by designing solvation structures to construct interface-rich phosphorous-containing salts, thereby providing a solution to the dual challenges of electrochemical performance and safety at high voltages (Adv. Mater.,2023,35,2210966). In collaboration with Professor Li Kaiyuan from the School of Safety Science and Emergency Management, they proposed evaluation standards for flame-retardant electrolytes and design principles for flame-retardant/non-flame-retardant electrolytes, aiming to provide design ideas and standardized safety assessments for lithium battery electrolytes (ACS Energy Lett.,2023,8,836). The research provides theoretical and technological support for expanding the application scope of batteries and pushing the limits of battery applications.

Paper：

（1）https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202210966

（2）https://doi.org/10.1021/acsenergylett.2c02683

（3）https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202301817

（4）https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/anie.202300238

Report： https://www.nature.com/articles/s41578-023-00580-y

Introduction：

You Ya, a professor from the International School of Materials Science and Engineering (School of Materials and Microelectronics) of Wuhan University of Technology, is mainly engaged in researching and developing key materials and devices for advanced secondary batteries under extreme conditions. She has been awarded the Hubei May Fourth Youth Medal, the Youth with Virtues Award in Hubei Province, the Outstanding Achievements Award for China's New Frontier of Science and Technology, and the honor ofYoung Scientists Empowering the Country.Professor You Ya has published more than 60 academic papers with over 7,000 total citations and an H-index of 40. She has led research projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the "Top Rank" Science and Technology Project in Yibin City, and various industrial projects. She also serves as the Deputy Secretary of the Youth League Committee of Wuhan University of Technology, Director of the materials disciplines of the School, the Editorial Board Member of ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, and Executive Director of the Power and Energy Association of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.

Written by: Yang Chao, Xie Xiaoqin

Reviewed by: Yan Kui

Rewritten by: Wang Jingjing

Edited by: Li Tiantian

Source: International School of Materials Science and Engineering (School of Materials and Microelectronics)