Rapid leakage responsive and self-healing Li-metal batteries

•New electrolyte system consults advantages from both solid and liquid electrolytes.•LRE rapidly responds to air and conglutinate the battery injuries in no time.•Volatilization of liquid electrolyte and Li oxidation can be stopped sufficiently.•LRE contributes to form robust polymeric SEI and suppress the dendrites. Considering the hyperactive nature of metallic Li and the drawbacks of traditional liquid electrolytes, solid electrolyte is now getting more attentions but confronts obstructions like low Li+ conductivity and poor interface contact. Herein, a new leakage-responsive and self-healing electrolyte (LRE) system is proposed, which consults advantages from both solid electrolytes and liquid electrolytes, including leakage forbiddance, high Li+ conductivity, wettability to electrodes and safety, etc. Moreover, the LRE electrolyte exhibits the characteristic of rapid response to air and then momentarily polymerizes so that the volatilization and oxidation of liquid electrolyte can be stopped in no time. On the other hand, LRE can not only serve as the function of conglutinate the battery injuries and improve the recyclability even batteries were physically damaged, but also contribute to form robust polymeric SEI and suppress the dendrites that helps to improve the battery stability. Significantly as an alternative to both solid electrolyte and traditional liquid electrolyte, this novel electrolyte opens up the possibility in the safe and economical application of LMBs.