Lithium trifluoromethanesulfinate: a lifespan-extending agent for lithium batteries – Sample

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Lithium trifluoromethanesulfinate (CF3SO2Li) is a lithium carrier molecule innovatively designed by the team of Peng Huisheng/Gao Yue from the Department of Polymer Science at Fudan University. This compound can function like a drug, allowing for the precise replenishment of lithium ions lost in worn-out or degraded lithium batteries through injection, thereby enabling the restoration of the battery’s capacity without any loss. This technology breaks away from the traditional design principle of lithium batteries, which rely on cathode materials to supply lithium ions, by decoupling the active lithium ions from the electrode materials, thereby enabling separate control over the lithium ions. Experiments have shown that batteries using this technology can maintain a health status close to that at the time of manufacture even after tens of thousands of charge-discharge cycles, resulting in a significantly extended cycle life. First is precise decomposition: within the charging voltage range of 2.8–4.3V, irreversible oxidation occurs, releasing lithium ions and breaking down into gases such as SO₂ and CHF3, which are then expelled through the battery’s exhaust system, achieving \"zero residue\"” ； Secondly, there is universal compatibility: it is soluble in conventional electrolytes and fits perfectly with graphite, silicon-carbon anodes, as well as various cathode materials. With this technology, the battery maintains a health level close to that at the time of manufacture (96% capacity) even after tens of thousands of charge-discharge cycles; its cycle life increases from the current 500–2000 cycles to over 12,000–60,000 cycles, which is a first in the world. Furthermore, the rule that battery materials must contain lithium has also been broken, making it possible to construct batteries using green materials free of heavy metals.