We study how polymer coatings on metal electrodes regulate ion flux and metal deposition, with the aim of suppressing dendrite growth and penetration. We also investigate how solvent and salt chemistry shape ion solvation and mobility, and how electrolyte reactions on electrode particles can form protective interphases that limit side reactions while allowing ions to pass.
Selective ion transport · Advanced electrolytes · Solvation chemistry · Protective interphases
Artificial Coating Layers (Side-Reaction Suppression and Ion Transport)
We engineer microporous polymer coatings on metal electrodes to control ion flux and promote uniform metal deposition. By limiting parasitic reactions at the electrode–electrolyte interface, we aim to improve cycling efficiency and extend battery life.
Related publications
Polymer coatings and interfacial layers
- R. Tan, H. He, A. Wang, T. Wong, Y. Yang, S. Iguodala, C. Ye, et al, “Interfacial Engineering of Polymer Membranes with Intrinsic Microporosity for Dendrite‐free Zinc Metal Batteries,” Angewandte Chemie, 2024, e202409322. DOI
- J. Lai, R. Tan, H. Jiang, X. Huang, Z. Tian, B. Hong, M. Wang, J. Li, “Development of an in situ polymerized artificial layer for dendrite‐free and stable lithium metal batteries,” Battery Energy, 2024, 20230070. DOI
Related deposition mechanisms and interface design
- X. Liu, X. Wang, L. Zhang, K. Yang, F. Li, J. D. Akoto, N. S. B. M. Alotaibi, R. Tan, M. Chen, M. Ouyang, “Lithium dendrite growth modeling under electrode surface morphology control,” Journal of Energy Chemistry, 2026.
- Y. Sun, Z. Peng, X. Zhu, X. Zhang, X. Liu, S. Yang, X. Yan, J. D. Akoto, N. S. B. M. Alotaibi, R. Tan, “Digital modeling and intelligent control methods for lithium deposition evolutions,” Rare Metals, 2025, 1-29.
- J. Lai, Y. Hu, F. Yang, B. Hong, M. Wang, R. Tan, J. Li, “Stabilizing the anodic interface for solid-state lithium metal batteries by combining a low-strain lithium/carbon anode with a polymer electrolyte,” Chemical Communications, 2025, 61(95), 18814-18817.
- Y. Sun, Z. Peng, X. Zhu, X. Liu, X. Liu, …N. S. B. M. Alotaibi & R. Tan, “Strategic interfacial gameplay: Lithium plating–stripping dynamics in solid-state battery anodes,” Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 111995.
- X. Liu, X. Qian, W. Tang, H. Luo, Y. Zhao, R. Tan, M. Qiao, X. Gao, Y. Hua, H. Wang, et al, “Designer uniform Li plating/stripping through lithium–cobalt alloying hierarchical scaffolds for scalable high-performance lithium-metal anodes,” Journal of Energy Chemistry, 2021, 52, 385-392.
Electrolyte Solvation and Ion Transport (Battery Efficiency and Operating Temperature)
We study how solvent and salt chemistry govern ion coordination, ion transport and interfacial reactivity. We use these relationships to guide electrolyte design for efficient battery operation across a wider temperature range.
Related publications
Liquid electrolyte solvation and interfacial stability
- L. Pan, N. Jia, J. Yang, X. Liu, R. Tan, “Tailoring aqueous electrolytes for low-temperature applications: from fundamentals to practical solutions,” Energy Storage Materials, 2025, 104714.
- C. Shi, Z. Li, M. Wang, S. Hong, B. Hong, Y. Fu, D. Liu, R. Tan, P. Wang, Y. Lai, “Electrolyte tailoring and interfacial engineering for safe and high-temperature lithium-ion batteries,” Energy & Environmental Science, 2025, 18, 3248. DOI
- C. Shi, M. Wang, Z. Tehrani, B. Hong, M. Wang, R. Tan, S. Margadonna, Y. Lai, M. M. Titirici, “Constructing Quasi‐ Localized High‐Concentration Solvation Structures to Stabilize Battery Interfaces in Nonflammable Phosphate‐Based Electrolyte,” Advanced Science, 2025, 12(6), 2411826. DOI
Related transport in membranes and solid or confined electrolytes
- A. Wang, C. Breakwell, F. Foglia, R. Tan, L. Lovell, et al, “Selective ion transport through hydrated micropores in polymer membranes,” Nature, 2024, 635(8038), 353-358. DOI
- J. M. Tuffnell, J. K. Morzy, N. D. Kelly, R. Tan, Q. Song, C. Ducati, T. D. Bennett, S. E. Dutton, “Comparison of the ionic conductivity properties of microporous and mesoporous MOFs infiltrated with a Na-ion containing IL mixture,” Dalton Transactions, 2020, 49(44), 15914-15924.
- P. Zuo, Y. Li, A. Wang, R. Tan, Y. Liu, et al, “Sulfonated microporous polymer membranes with fast and selective ion transport for electrochemical energy conversion and storage,” Angewandte Chemie, 2020, 132(24), 9651-9660.
- Y. Feng, R. Tan, Y. Zhao, R. Gao, L. Yang, J. Yang, H. Li, G. Zhou, H. Chen, F. Pan, “Insight into fast ion migration kinetics of a new hybrid single Li-ion conductor based on aluminate complexes for solid-state Li-ion batteries,” Nanoscale, 2018, 10(13), 5975-5984.
- B. Zhang, R. Tan, L. Yang, J. Zheng, K. Zhang, S. Mo, Z. Lin, F. Pan, “Mechanisms and properties of ion-transport in inorganic solid electrolytes,” Energy Storage Materials, 2018, 10, 139-159.
In Situ–Formed Interphases (Battery Stability)
We tailor electrolyte formulations and additives to form protective interphases in situ on electrode particles. We investigate how interphase composition and structure can suppress continued electrolyte decomposition while allowing ion transport, with the aim of improving cycling stability.
Related publications
Electrolyte additives and protective interphases
- Y. Huang, X. Wang, … R. Tan & Y. Deng, “A novel bifunctional 3, 5-Bis (trifluoromethyl) phenyl isocyanate additive enhancing interfacial stability of high-voltage lithium metal batteries,” Chemical Engineering Journal, 2026, 177311.
- C. Shi, Z. Li, M. Wang, S. Hong, B. Hong, Y. Fu, D. Liu, R. Tan, P. Wang, Y. Lai, “Electrolyte tailoring and interfacial engineering for safe and high-temperature lithium-ion batteries,” Energy & Environmental Science, 2025, 18, 3248. DOI
- C. Shi, M. Wang, Z. Tehrani, B. Hong, M. Wang, R. Tan, S. Margadonna, Y. Lai, M. M. Titirici, “Constructing Quasi‐ Localized High‐Concentration Solvation Structures to Stabilize Battery Interfaces in Nonflammable Phosphate‐Based Electrolyte,” Advanced Science, 2025, 12(6), 2411826. DOI
- H. Zhang, Y. Huang, Y. Wang, L. Wang, … R. Tan, L. Yang, F. Pan, Y. Zhao, “In-situ constructed protective bilayer enabling stable cycling of LiCoO2 cathode at high-voltage,” Energy Storage Materials, 2023, 62, 102951.
- L. Lin, K. Yang, R. Tan, M. Li, S. Fu, T. Liu, H. Chen, F. Pan, “Effect of sulfur-containing additives on the formation of a solid-electrolyte interphase evaluated by in situ AFM and ex situ characterizations,” Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2017, 5(36), 19364-19370.
Related electrode coatings and binders
- A. Naveed, A. Inayat, M. Asif, A. Bibi, S. Altin, R. Tan, S. M. Abbas, A. Haider, “Interfacial engineering of MOF-derived Sn/SnO2/C nanorods through nitrogen doping for lithium-ion battery and high performance hybrid supercapacitor: Insights from experimental and DFT studies,” Journal of Power Sources, 2027, 699, 241848. DOI
- Y. Gan, M. Liu, R. Tan, C. Pan, L. Liu, S. Zhou, Z. Zou, G. Chen, L. Xian, X. Cheng, L. Li, L. Li, W. Ao, J. Yang, “Flame‐Retardant Crosslinked Polymer Stabilizes Graphite–Silicon Composite Anode for Self‐Extinguishing Lithium‐ Ion Batteries,” Advanced Energy Materials, 2022, 12(45), 2202779.
- D. Liu, Y. Zhao, R. Tan, L.-L. Tian, Y. Liu, H. Chen, F. Pan, “Novel conductive binder for high-performance silicon anodes in lithium ion batteries,” Nano Energy, 2017, 36, 206-212.
