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Vol. 17 (2025)

Transformative Effect of Li Salt for Proactively Mitigating Interfacial Side Reactions in Sodium-Ion Batteries

https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01742-z
Jooeun Byun
Advanced Batteries Research Center, Korea Electronics Technology Institute, 25, Saenari‑Ro, Seongnam 13509, Republic of Korea
Joon Ha Chang
Analysis and Assessment Research Group, Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Cheongam‑Ro 67, Pohang 37673, Republic of Korea
Chihyun Hwang
Advanced Batteries Research Center, Korea Electronics Technology Institute, 25, Saenari‑Ro, Seongnam 13509, Republic of Korea
Chae Rim Lee
Advanced Batteries Research Center, Korea Electronics Technology Institute, 25, Saenari‑Ro, Seongnam 13509, Republic of Korea
Miseung Kim
Advanced Batteries Research Center, Korea Electronics Technology Institute, 25, Saenari‑Ro, Seongnam 13509, Republic of Korea
Jun Ho Song
Advanced Batteries Research Center, Korea Electronics Technology Institute, 25, Saenari‑Ro, Seongnam 13509, Republic of Korea
Boseong Heo
Department of Battery Convergence Engineering, Kangwon National University, 1, Kangwon‑Daehakro, Chuncheon‑Si, Kangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
Sunghun Choi
Department of Battery Convergence Engineering, Kangwon National University, 1, Kangwon‑Daehakro, Chuncheon‑Si, Kangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
Jong Hyeok Han
Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Kangwon National University, 1, Kangwon‑Daehakro, Chuncheon‑Si, Kangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
Hee‑Jae Jeon
Department of Smart Health Science and Technology, Kangwon National University, 1, Kangwon‑Daehakro, Chuncheon‑Si, Kangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
Beom Tak Na
Research Institute of Intelligent Manufacturing and Materials Technology, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Gaetbeol‑Ro 156, Incheon, Republic of Korea
Youngjin Kim
Department of Battery Convergence Engineering, Kangwon National University, 1, Kangwon‑Daehakro, Chuncheon‑Si, Kangwon 24341, Republic of Korea
Ji‑Sang Yu
Advanced Batteries Research Center, Korea Electronics Technology Institute, 25, Saenari‑Ro, Seongnam 13509, Republic of Korea
Hyun‑seung Kim
Advanced Batteries Research Center, Korea Electronics Technology Institute, 25, Saenari‑Ro, Seongnam 13509, Republic of Korea

Corresponding Author: Hyun‑seung Kim

hskim0113@keti.re.kr

Nano-Micro Letters, Vol. 17 (2025), Article Number: 226

Abstract

The robust respective formations of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and pillar at the surfaces of hard carbon and O3-type positive electrodes are the consequences of integrating LiPF6 salt into a sodium-ion battery electrolyte that considerably strengthens both interfaces of positive and negative electrodes. The improvement of cycle performances due to the formation of highly passivating SEI on the hard carbon electrode is induced by the alternated solvation structure following the addition of Li salt, which inhibits sodium-ion and electron leakage from further electrolyte decomposition. The SEI with incorporated Li is less soluble than Na-based SEI, and the passivation ability of the initially formed SEI can thus be well preserved. Conversely, the gas evolution caused by oxygen release is reduced considerably by the marginal surface intercalation of Li ions at the surface of the O3-positive electrode. Additionally, the LiF layer that forms on the O3 surface diminishes additional deterioration of the electrolyte after formation. Compared with the fluoroethylene carbonate additive that is typically applied, a simultaneously strengthened interface yields major improvements in capacity retention.


Highlights:
1 LiPF6 integration into sodium-ion battery electrolytes strengthens solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film and stabilizes O3 electrode surfaces, enhancing cycleability with 92.7% at 400 cycles.
2 Li-based SEI exhibits reduced solubility, effectively suppressing sodium-ion and electron leakage, and mitigating electrolyte decomposition on hard carbon electrode.
3 The formation of Li-ion pillars on O3-type electrode surfaces significantly reduces oxygen release and electrolyte degradation, resulting in improved capacity retention.

Keywords

Lithium salt Electrolyte Solid electrolyte interphase Sodium-ion batteries Additive
Byun, Jooeun, Joon Ha Chang, Chihyun Hwang, Chae Rim Lee, Miseung Kim, Jun Ho Song, Boseong Heo, Sunghun Choi, Jong Hyeok Han, Hee‑Jae Jeon, Beom Tak Na, Youngjin Kim, Ji‑Sang Yu, and Hyun‑seung Kim. 2025. “Transformative Effect of Li Salt for Proactively Mitigating Interfacial Side Reactions in Sodium-Ion Batteries”. Nano-Micro Letters 17 (April):226. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40820-025-01742-z.
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