Effect of sulfolane on the morphology and chemical composition of the solid electrolyte interphase layer in lithium bis(oxalato)borate‐based electrolyte

To discuss the source of sulfolane (SL) in decreasing the interface resistance of Li/mesophase carbon microbeads cell with lithium bis(oxalate)borate (LiBOB)‐based electrolyte, the morphology and the composition of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the surface of carbonaceous anode material have been investigated. Compared with the cell with 0.7 mol l^?1 LiBOB‐ethylene carbonate/ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) (1 : 1, v/v) electrolyte, the cell with 0.7 mol l^?1 LiBOB‐SL/EMC (1 : 1, v/v) electrolyte shows better film‐forming characteristics in SEM (SEI) spectra. According to the results obtained from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, XPS, and density functional theory calculations, SL is reduced to Li₂SO₃ and LiO₂S(CH₂)₈SO₂Li through electrochemical processes, which happens prior to the reduction of either ethylene carbonate or EMC. It is believed that the root of impedance reduction benefits from the rich existence of sulfurous compounds in SEI layer, which are better conductors of Li⁺ ions than analogical carbonates. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.