Electrolytes for Fast-Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries with a Disordered Rock Salt Cathode

Fast-charging lithium (Li)-ion batteries (LIBs) require electrolyte systems that simultaneously enable rapid Li-ion transport and stabilize the evolving interphases during electrochemical cycling. Here, we design and systematically evaluate four different electrolyte formulations tailored for next-generation LIBs employing a disordered rock salt (DRX) cathode and graphite (Gr) anode. Compared with the state-of-the-art carbonate-based electrolyte, the developed electrolytes deliver higher capacities and improved cycling stability at both moderate and elevated charge rates as well as better fast charge and discharge rate capabilities. Notably, Gr||DRX full cells with these electrolytes exhibit substantially higher discharge specific capacities than those using the state-of-the-art electrolyte at charge rates up to 8C (7.5 min charging time). This work also establishes clear electrolyte design principles linking solvation structures, ionic transport properties, and interphase evolutions with fast-charging performance, offering a viable pathway toward next-generation fast-charging LIBs with DRX cathodes.