[tert-Butyl(diphenyl)silyl] trifluoromethanesulfonate acts as an effective additive for high-voltage lithium metal batteries

Lithium metal is an ideal anode to replace graphite because of its high theoretical specific capacity. However, the surface of the lithium anode is prone to producing uncontrollable lithium dendrites, which seriously hinders its mass production. The morphology and chemical properties of the SEI layer have a key influence on the electrochemical precipitation of lithium ions on the electrode surface. Therefore, modifying the SEI layer is an important strategy to suppress lithium dendrites. This paper describes an effective additive, [tert-butyl(diphenyl)silyl] trifluoromethanesulfonate. The results reveal that the additive can be preferentially reduced on the surface of the lithium anode to form a flat and dense SEI layer, which further inhibits the consumption of the electrolyte and improves the electrochemical reversibility during the lithium plating/stripping process.