Tuning interfacial polarity for stable high-potential lithium metal batteries

Nature Nanotechnology, Published online: 13 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41565-026-02167-4 A molecular engineering strategy using dipolar self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) establishes interfacial polarity as a descriptor for battery electrode stability. By tuning the electronic structure of the SAM and, thus, nanometric surface environment of the positive electrode, stable operation of high-potential lithium metal batteries is demonstrated and validated through interface-sensitive in situ spectroscopy.