Deep eutectic solvent-based sustainable electrochemical lithium batteries – Prospects, challenges, and life cycle engineering

Abstract

The transition to sustainable energy sources necessitates advanced energy storage systems, with deep eutectic solvents (DESs) emerging as a promising, green, and cost-effective solution. Compared to traditional solvents, DESs excel in applications such as batteries, supercapacitors, metal electropolishing, electrodeposition, electrode synthesis, recycling, and CO₂ capture due to their low toxicity, excellent conductivity, high thermal stability, and nonflammability. Emphasis is given to DESs as sustainable electrolytes in lithium-ion batteries, addressing both safety and environmental concerns. This highlights DES aiming to inspire advancements in technological, energy, and environmental engineering. The review outlines challenges, research gaps, and future prospects, showcasing DESs’ potential in efficient energy storage for the renewable energy era. deep eutectic electrolytes (DEEs) offer several advantages in battery performance. They provide high energy density, long cycle life, wide electrochemical stability window, which withstands high voltages without decomposition, ideal for high-voltage batteries in electric vehicles and electronics. DEEs also improve the stability and cycling performance of lithium-ion batteries by regulating SEI layer formation and suppressing lithium dendrite growth. Additionally, DEEs enable high-voltage cycling and can function in self-healing gel electrolytes for solid-state lithium batteries.