As an important part of lithium-ion battery electrolyte, Lithium Tetrafluoroborate is widely used in the fields of power batteries, energy storage batteries and consumer electronics. In the traditional liquid electrolyte system, its combination with solvents such as vinyl carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) can form a stable lithium-ion transport network, which effectively supports the charge and discharge cycle of the battery. Especially at high temperature, the decomposition rate of Lithium Tetrafluoroborate electrolyte is slow, which can significantly extend the service life of the battery. In addition, in solid electrolyte research, it is often used as a dopant on polymer substrates to improve the ionic conductivity and interface compatibility of solid systems.

In the supercapacitor sector, Lithium Tetrafluoroborate also shows unique value. Because of its high ionic mobility and wide electrochemical window, its use as an electrolyte component can significantly improve the energy density and power density of capacitors. For example, in a double-layer capacitor, Lithium Tetrafluoroborate solution can effectively reduce electrode polarization and improve the fast charge-discharge performance of the device. At the same time, the material’s stability over a wide temperature range makes it suitable for energy storage devices in extreme environments, such as energy storage systems in aerospace or polar research equipment.

In the electroplating industry, Lithium Tetrafluoroborate is widely used as a plating solution additive because of its excellent electrical conductivity and low corrosion. Especially in the gold-plating or silver-plating process of precision electronic components, the Lithium Tetrafluoroborate base bath can significantly reduce the porosity of the coating and enhance the corrosion resistance and conductivity of the device. In addition, the material has potential applications in the field of precious metals recovery, such as electrolysis to extract metals such as gold and silver from waste liquid, it can improve the efficiency of electrolysis.

In the field of medicine, Lithium Tetrafluoroborate plays a special role as a stabilizer or excipient of some drugs. For example, in the formulation process of Lithium salts, Lithium Tetrafluoroborate improves its bioavailability by adjusting the solubility and release rate of drug molecules. At the same time, in radiopharmaceutical preparation, its stable chemical properties help reduce side reactions during isotope labeling. However, due to the neuroregulatory effects of lithium ions, relevant applications need to strictly follow pharmacopoeia standards to ensure the toxicological safety of the preparation.

The core competitiveness of Lithium Tetrafluoroborate is first reflected in its excellent electrochemical performance. Compared with other lithium salts, its ion migration number is higher (up to 0.5 or more), which means that at the same concentration, the lithium ion transmission efficiency in the electrolyte is better. This feature is particularly important for high-rate charge and discharge scenarios. For example, when the power battery is quickly charged, the Lithium Tetrafluoroborate-based electrolyte can effectively reduce concentration polarization, thereby slowing down capacity decay. At the same time, its wide electrochemical window (4.5-5.0 V) makes the battery system compatible with high-voltage positive electrode materials, such as lithium nickel manganese oxide (LiNi₀.₅Mn₁.₅O₄), opening up a new path to improve energy density.

Thermal stability is another significant advantage of Lithium Tetrafluoroborate. Its decomposition temperature is as high as 300°C, far exceeding lithium hexafluorophosphate (about 200°C), which makes the battery system using this material safer in high temperature environments. For example, in electric vehicle battery packs, even if local thermal runaway occurs, Lithium Tetrafluoroborate electrolyte can slow down the rate of heat diffusion, buying time for emergency response for the safety system.

In terms of chemical compatibility, Lithium Tetrafluoroborate exhibits a wide range of adaptability. It can form homogeneous solutions with most organic solvents (such as EC, PC, DMC, etc.) without causing solvent decomposition or gelation. At the same time, the material has extremely low corrosion to aluminum current collectors, and almost no corrosion current is generated in the voltage range below 4.2 V, which is crucial to maintaining the integrity of the internal structure of the battery. In the development of new battery systems, such as lithium-sulfur batteries or lithium-air batteries, the chemical inertness of Lithium Tetrafluoroborate enables it to coexist with active substances such as polysulfides or oxygen, providing the possibility of building complex systems.

Environmental friendliness is an important feature of Lithium Tetrafluoroborate that distinguishes it from traditional lithium salts. The fluorine-containing waste generated during its production process can be recycled through mature recycling processes to avoid environmental pollution. In addition, the residual toxicity of this material in discarded batteries is low, which meets the increasingly stringent environmental regulations.

From the perspective of economic benefits, Lithium Tetrafluoroborate has significant comprehensive cost advantages. Although its unit mass price is slightly higher than that of lithium hexafluorophosphate, its overall economic efficiency is more prominent because its usage concentration can be reduced by 20%-30%, and the reduction in the full life cycle cost brought about by the extended battery cycle life. At the same time, the production process of this material has been scaled up, and many domestic companies have a production capacity of 10,000 tons and a strong supply chain stability. With the rapid development of the new energy industry, its scale effect will be further highlighted, and its market price is expected to maintain a steady downward trend in the next three years.