Electrolytes with Micelle-Assisted Formation of Directional Ion Transport Channels for Aqueous Rechargeable Batteries with Impressive Performance

Low-cost and ecofriendly electrolytes with suppressed water reactivity and raised ionic conductivity are desirable for aqueous rechargeable batteries because it is a dilemma to decrease the water reactivity and increase the ionic conductivity at the same time. In this paper, Li(2)SO(4)–Na(2)SO(4)–sodium dodecyl sulfate (LN-SDS)-based aqueous electrolytes are designed, where: (i) Na(+) ions dissociated from SDS increase the charge carrier concentration, (ii) DS(−)/SO(4)(2−) anions and Li(+)/Na(+) cations are capable of trapping water molecules through hydrogen bonding and/or hydration, resulting in a lowered melting point, (iii) Li(+) ions reduce the Krafft temperature of LN-SDS, (iv) Na(+) and SO(4)(2−) ions increase the low-temperature electrolyte ionic conductivity, and (v) SDS micelle clusters are orderly aggregated to form directional ion transport channels, enabling the formation of quasi-continuous ion flows without (r.t.) and with (≤0 °C) applying voltage. The screened LN-SDS is featured with suppressed water reactivity and high ionic conductivity at temperatures ranging from room temperature to −15 °C. Additionally, NaTi(2)(PO(4))(3)‖LiMn(2)O(4) batteries operating with LN-SDS manifest impressive electrochemical performance at both room temperature and −15 °C, especially the cycling stability and low-temperature performance.