Chemically localized solvent-anion interactions enable ultra-high-loading practical lithium metal batteries operating at −70 ℃

Chemically localized solvent-anion interactions enable ultra-high-loading practical lithium metal batteries operating at −70 ℃ | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article Chemically localized solvent-anion interactions enable ultra-high-loading practical lithium metal batteries operating at −70 ℃ Yongbing Tang, Xuezhong Li, Chi Fang, Weiliang Yi, Zhifang Wei, and 9 more This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-9351081/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Deploying high-energy practical lithium-based batteries at extreme low temperatures hinges on efficient ion transport within high-loading porous electrodes, yet it remains constrained by the long-range continuity of solvent-solvent interactions. Such interactions typically form percolating solvent networks that undergo substantial rigidification in freezing environments, drastically impeding ion transport. Herein, we reveal that introducing a co-solvent into the weak solvation electrolyte constructs localized solvent-anion motifs, effectively breaking the continuity of these extended interactions and fragmenting the global solvent network. These chemically localized solvent-anion interactions preserve the electrolyte's structural flexibility required for low-temperature operation while simultaneously ensuring an inorganic-rich interphase. Consequently, we demonstrate battery operation down to −70 ℃. Large-format 10.2 Ah lithium metal pouch cells with an ultra-high electrode loading (26.0 mg/cm2 and 96% active material) maintain stable cycling at −50 ℃. This work establishes a new paradigm, highlighting the decisive role of disrupting the long-range connectivity of the solvent network in designing electrolytes for low-temperature batteries. Physical sciences/Materials science/Materials for energy and catalysis/Batteries Physical sciences/Energy science and technology/Energy storage/Batteries low-temperature electrolyte localized solvation network solvent-anion interactions ultra-high electrode loading lithium metal battery Full Text Additional Declarations There is NO Competing Interest. Supplementary Files SI.docx Chemically localized solvent-anion interactions enable ultra-high-loading practical lithium metal batteries operating at −70 ℃ Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. 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Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-9351081","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":633088984,"identity":"94164b6a-9bf4-4129-b5f8-3c37346926c8","order_by":0,"name":"Yongbing 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