Ionic Liquid-Mediated Mass Transport Channels for Ultrahigh Rate Lithium-Ion Batteries

Excellent mass transport capability is indispensable to building a high-power lithium-ion battery (LIB) system. Nanomaterials with enhanced electrochemical properties have been used for next-generation high-performance LIBs. However, due to the high surface free energy, nanomaterials tend to form agglomeration. The resulting insufficient mass transport channels limit the high rate performance of nanomaterials. Here, we increase the electrolyte accessibility of nanomaterials through a facile ionic liquid (IL) mediation method. The fluidity and affinity enable the IL to infiltrate into the interstitials of nanomaterial aggregations under capillary force, enhancing the electrochemically active contact area and ensuring rapid mass transport. As a proof of concept, IL-mediated LiFePO4 electrodes delivered extraordinary rate performance (112 and 95 mAh g–1 at 200 and 300 C, respectively). In terms of simplicity, the IL mediation can be used as a general strategy to achieve an ultrahigh rate for LIBs.