Solid-state lithium-metal batteries are considered a leading candidate for next-generation energy storage due to their high energy density and improved safety. However, their practical application has been hindered by low ionic conductivity, poor interface stability with lithium metal, and uncontrolled dendrite growth. Self-healing polymer electrolytes have emerged as a potential solution to these challenges, but achieving rapid self-healing without compromising electrochemical performance has remained a critical barrier.
A team led by Lingling Zhang from Northeast Agricultural University and Chuankai Fu from Harbin Institute of Technology has designed a new self-healing polymer electrolyte (SHPE) that addresses these issues through a synergistic mechanism. The SHPE integrates quadruple hydrogen bonds from UPyMA, flexible ethoxy chains from ETPTA, and a plasticizing agent PEGMA to form a three-dimensional crosslinked network.
The team published their manuscript in Nano Research on May 21, 2026.
“Our design allows the electrolyte to rapidly self-heal surface damage within 30 minutes at 60 °C, which is significantly faster than most reported systems,” said Zhang. “More importantly, the self-healed electrolyte recovers over 98% of its original ionic conductivity and delivers nearly identical battery cycling performance.”
The electrolyte achieves an ionic conductivity of 9.07×10 -4 S·cm⁻¹ at 60 °C, a wide electrochemical stability window up to 5.14 V, and a high lithium-ion transference number of 0.66. Li||Li symmetric cells using this electrolyte stably cycle for more than 4000 hours at 0.05 mA·cm -2 with only a 10 Ω increase in impedance. Post-cycling analysis reveals a dense and dendrite-free lithium metal surface, with the formation of a stable solid-electrolyte interphase rich in LiF and Li 3 N.
“The synergy between flexible segmental movement and reversible hydrogen bonding achieves fast self-healing, accelerates ion transport and stabilizes interfacial chemistry.” Fu explained.
The team further demonstrated that Li||LiFePO 4 cells incorporating the electrolyte exhibit excellent rate capability and long-term cycling stability. A pouch cell fabricated with the electrolyte remained functional even after folding and cutting, successfully powering an LED light.
Looking ahead, the researchers believe this design strategy opens new avenues for developing durable and safe solid-state batteries. “Our ultimate goal is to translate this self-healing electrolyte technology into practical battery systems with extended service life and enhanced safety,” said Zhang. “We are currently exploring its compatibility with high-voltage cathodes and scaling up the material synthesis for real-world applications.”
This work was supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 22209022 and 52302234), Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province (Grant No. LH2023B009), and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (HIT.NSFJG202214).
D OI Link:
https://doi.org/10.26599/NR.2026.94908586
About the Authors
Lingling Zhang is an Associate Professor and Doctoral Supervisor at the College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, China. Her research focuses on solid-state electrolytes, interface engineering for lithium/sodium metal batteries, and self-healing materials. Presided over 8 research projects including the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), Heilongjiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation Joint Guidance Program and China Postdoctoral Science Foundation General Program. As the first or corresponding author, he has published 20 SCI papers in international journals such as Nano Research, Energy Storage Materials and Small, and obtained 1 authorized invention patent. For more information, please pay attention to his research homepage http://114.115.235.215/lxydsgl/cx.asp?id=147 .
Fu Chuankai, Associate Professor and Doctoral Supervisor in the Department of Electrochemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology. His research focuses on key materials and interfacial science for lithium/sodium-ion batteries and solid-state batteries. Over ten research projects have been undertaken, covering NSFC, sub-projects of National Key R&D Program, China Postdoctoral Science Foundation, Heilongjiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation, Shanghai Aerospace Science and Technology Innovation Fund and State Key Laboratory Fund. More than 20 SCI papers have been published as first or corresponding author in top-tier journals including Angew. Chem. Int. Ed., Device, Adv. Energy Mater., Adv. Funct. Mater., ACS Energy Lett., Nano-Micro Lett. and Nano Res., with total citations exceeding 2000. He holds over 20 authorized national invention patents and has accomplished more than ten technology transfer achievements. He serves as Youth Editorial Board Member of Nano-Micro Letters, Materials Futures, Sustainable Engineering Novit, EcoEnergy and Rare Metals, and works as a peer reviewer for Nat. Commun., Adv. Energy Mater., Nano-Micro Lett., Energy Storage Mater., J. Energy Chem., Commun. Chem. and other academic journals. For more information, please pay attention to his research homepage https://homepage.hit.edu.cn/fuchuankai?lang=zh .
About Nano Research
Nano Research is a peer-reviewed, open access, international and interdisciplinary research journal, sponsored by Tsinghua University and the Chinese Chemical Society, published by Tsinghua University Press on the platform SciOpen. It publishes original high-quality research and significant review articles on all aspects of nanoscience and nanotechnology, ranging from basic aspects of the science of nanoscale materials to practical applications of such materials. After 18 years of development, it has become one of the most influential academic journals in the nano field. Nano Research has published more than 1,000 papers every year from 2022, with its cumulative count surpassing 8,000 articles. In 2025 InCites Journal Citation Reports, its 2025 IF is 9.4 (8.3, 5 years), and it continues to be the Q1 area among the four subject classifications. Nano Research Award, established by Nano Research together with TUP and Springer Nature in 2013, and Nano Research Young Innovators (NR45) Awards, established by Nano Research in 2018, have become international academic awards with global influence.
Nano Research
Multiple hydrogen bonds enable ultra-rapid self-healing polymer electrolyte for long-lasting lithium-metal batteries
21-May-2026