GBL-based electrolyte for Li-ion battery: thermal and electrochemical performance

Thermal stability, flammability, and electrochemical performances of the cyclic carbonate-based electrolytes [where γ-butyrolactone (GBL) is a main component (at least 50 vol.%) among of EC and PC with LiBF₄] have been examined in comparison with contemporary (EC/EMC, 1:3 vol.%, 1 M LiPF₆) electrolyte by DSC, accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC), AC impedance, and cyclic voltammetry (CV). This study shows that GBL-based electrolytes have perfect thermal stability and will improve Li-ion battery safety (including flammability) without performance trade-off with the accurate combination of active materials and separator. Several types of negative electrode materials (such as hard carbon, MCMB, and SWF) have been tested to evaluate GBL-based electrolyte influence on SEI formation and battery performance. Finally, GBL-based electrolytes show not only equal electrochemical performance in comparison to commonly used electrolytes (EC/EMC in this study) but it will notably improve battery safety.     

温度对石墨电极性能的影响

运用电化学阻抗谱(EIS)并结合循环伏安法(CV)研究了石墨电极25和60 ℃时在1 mol·L-1 LiPF6-EC(碳酸乙烯酯):DEC(碳酸二乙酯):DMC(碳酸二甲酯)电解液中, 以及60 ℃时在1 mol·L-1 LiPF6-EC:DEC:DMC+5%VC(碳酸亚乙烯酯)电解液中的首次阴极极化过程. 发现高温下(60 ℃)石墨电极在1 mol·L-1 LiPF6-EC:DEC:DMC电解液中可逆循环容量衰减的主要原因在于其表面无法形成稳定的固体电解质相界面(SEI)膜. 实验结果显示, VC添加剂能够增进高温下石墨电极表面SEI膜的稳定性, 进而改进石墨电极的循环性能.     

Understanding High‐Rate K+‐Solvent Co‐Intercalation in Natural Graphite for Potassium‐Ion Batteries

Graphite shows great potential as an anode material for rechargeable metal‐ion batteries because of its high abundance and low cost. However, the electrochemical performance of graphite anode materials for rechargeable potassium‐ion batteries needs to be further improved. Reported herein is a natural graphite with superior rate performance and cycling stability obtained through a unique K⁺‐solvent co‐intercalation mechanism in a 1 m KCF₃SO₃ diethylene glycol dimethyl ether electrolyte. The co‐intercalation mechanism was demonstrated by ex situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and in situ X‐ray diffraction. Moreover, the structure of the [K‐solvent]⁺ complexes intercalated with the graphite and the conditions for reversible K⁺‐solvent co‐intercalation into graphite are proposed based on the experimental results and first‐principles calculations. This work provides important insights into the design of natural graphite for high‐performance rechargeable potassium‐ion batteries.     

Enhancement of Li-ion battery performance of graphite anode by sodium ion as an electrolyte additive

Electrochemical performance of a graphite electrode for lithium-ion batteries was successfully and easily improved by sodium ion dissolved in an electrolyte solution. Sodium ion was added by dissolving 0.22 mol dm⁻³ NaClO₄ into a 1 mol dm⁻³ LiClO₄ ethylene carbonate–diethyl carbonate (1:1 by volume) electrolyte solution prior to charge–discharge cycle. By sodium-ion addition, an irreversible capacity at the initial cycle was obviously reduced, and reversible discharge capacities increased with better capacity retention. From ac impedance measurements, a graphite electrode in the sodium ion added electrolyte had much smaller interface resistance compared to that obtained in sodium ion free one. Furthermore, the electrode surface morphology observed by electron microscopes after charge–discharge tests got more uniform in the sodium added electrolyte.     

Properties of passivation film on carbon electrode in LiPF6/EC+DEC electrolytes

The co-solvent of ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethyl carbonate (DEC) was used to investigate the decomposition of electrolyte in Li-ion batteries. The electrolyte solutions were prepared by mixing in various volume ratios from pure DEC to 7:3 (EC:DEC). The potentials at which they are decomposed on the anodic electrode were examined using cyclic voltammetry. It was found that some kinds of reduction reactions proceeded and a film on the surface of the anode was formed. The film showed different properties, which were dependent on the mixing ratio of the solvents. From our results, we concluded that the best composition ratio of EC:DEC in 1 M LiPF₆/(EC+DEC) system was approximately 4:6 (EC:DEC, volume ratio).     

Anion receptor for enhanced thermal stability of the graphite anode interface in a Li-ion battery

The thermal stability of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formed on a graphite anode has been enhanced by adding an anion receptor, tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (TPFPB), to the electrolyte. The investigated electrolyte was LiBF₄ in a 2:1 mixture of ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethyl carbonate (DEC). Two concentrations of TPFPB have been investigated, 0.2 and 0.8 M. Galvanostatic cycling and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were used to study the effect of TPFPB on the electrochemical performance and thermal stability of graphite anodes. The best performance is obtained for a graphite anode cycled in an electrolyte with 0.2 M TPFPB: cyclability is improved, and the onset temperature for the first thermally activated reaction is increased by more than 60 °C up to 140–160 °C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has been used to examine the composition of the SEI formed in the different electrolytes; the improved performance for the graphite cycled with 0.2 M TPFPB is attributed to a reduced amount of LiF in the SEI.     

Effects of organophilic clay on the solvent‐maintaining capability,dimensional stability,and electrochemical properties of gel poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanocomposite electrolytes

Four quaternary alkyl ammonium salts were used in an organophilic procedure, performed on montmorillonite clay, and resulted in intercalation in dimethylformamide (DMF) or ethylene carbonate (EC)/propylene carbonate (PC) as a cosolvent between poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVdF) and the organophilic clay. An examination using X‐ray diffraction revealed that PVdF entered galleries of montmorillonite clay, and it exhibited exfoliation and intercalation phenomena when it was analyzed with transmission electron microscopy. Gel PVdF nanocomposite electrolyte materials were successfully prepared by the addition of the appropriate percentages of DMF or PC/EC as a cosolvent, organophilic clay, and lithium perchlorate to PVdF. The maximum ionic conductivity was 1.03 × 10^?2 S/cm, and the materials exhibited better film formation, solvent‐maintaining capability, and dimensional stability than electrolyte films without added organophilic clays. The results of cyclic voltammetry testing showed that the addition of the organophilic clays significantly enhanced the electrochemical stability of the polymer electrolyte system. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3873–3882, 2002     

Studies on heat-treated MPCF anodes in Li ion batteries

The intercalation/deintercalation of lithium ions into the heat-treated mesophase pitch-based carbon fibers (MPCF) was carried out in 1 M LiPF₆-ethylene carbonate (EC)/diethyl carbonate (DEC) (1:1, volume ratio) solution at room temperature. LiC₆ became incorporated into the heat-treated MPCF via an Li⁺ intercalation process. The transition stage was observed by a charge-discharge curve, impedance spectrum, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum. From the observed results, we conclude that the initial intercalation of lithium ions proceeds not by a reversible pathway, but rather, an irreversible path. From the deintercalation to the continuous cycles the lithium ion is intercalated and deintercalated via a reversible pathway.     

Safety improvement of lithium ion batteries by organo-fluorine compounds

Thermal stability, electrochemical oxidation stability and charge/discharge characteristics of natural graphite powder were investigated by mixing of five fluoro-carbonates with 1 mol/L LiClO₄–EC/DEC/PC (1:1:1 vol.). DSC study revealed that thermal stability of the electrolyte solution was improved by mixing of fluoro-carbonates by 10.0–33.3 vol.%. Electrochemical oxidation stability was also improved. Oxidation currents for Pt electrode significantly decreased by mixing of fluoro-carbonates. In the fluoro-carbonate-mixed electrolyte solutions, electrochemical reduction of PC decreased with increasing concentration of fluoro-carbonate and current density. As a result, first coulombic efficiency for natural graphite electrode increased, that is, irreversible capacity decreased in the fluoro-carbonate-mixed solutions.     

Studying lithium intercalation into graphite particles via in situ Raman spectroscopy and confocal microscopy

The electrochemical intercalation of lithium into single graphite particles was studied in situ using Raman microscopy combined with confocal microscopy. The degree of intercalation during cycling was obtained from changes in the Raman bands of carbon. Confocal microscopy was used to image the graphite electrode in order to monitor the intercalation into single graphite particles. An industrial button cell was modified such that Raman spectra and microscopic images of the back side of the negative electrode could be taken through a window in the cup of the cell. The liquid electrolyte consisted of a 1:1 mixture of ethylenecarbonate/dimethylcarbonate (EC/DMC) with 1 M LiPF₆. The spectroscopy and microscopy showed that lithium does not intercalate into the graphite in a homogeneous manner. Inhomogeneous lithium intercalation was even observed in single graphite particles.     

Solvent Molecule Cooperation Enhancing Lithium Metal Battery Performance at Both Electrodes

Developing electrolytes compatible with efficient and reversible cycling of electrodes is critical to the success of rechargeable Li metal batteries (LMBs). The Coulombic efficiencies and cycle lives of LMBs with ethylene carbonate (EC), dimethyl carbonate, ethylene sulfite (ES), and their combinations as electrolyte solvents show that in a binary‐solvent electrolyte the extent of electrolyte decomposition on the electrode surface is dependent on the solvent component that dominates the solvation sheath of Li⁺. This knowledge led to the development of an EC‐ES electrolyte exhibiting high performance for Li||LiFePO₄ batteries. Carbonate molecules occupy the solvation sheath and improve the Coulombic efficiencies of both the anode and cathode. Sulfite molecules lead to desirable morphology and composition of the solid electrolyte interphase and extend the cycle life of the Li metal anode. The cooperation between these components provides a new example of electrolyte optimization for improved LMBs.     

In situ analysis of interfacial reactions between negative MCMB,lithium electrodes,and gel polymer electrolyte

The interfacial properties of mesocarbon-microbeads (MCMB) and lithium electrodes during charge process in poly (vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene)-based gel electrolyte were investigated by in situ Raman microscopy, in situ Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic methods, and charge–discharge, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. For MCMB electrode, the series phase transitions from initial formation of the dilute stage 1 graphite intercalation compound (GIC) to a stage 4 GIC, then through a stage 3 to stage 2, and finally to stage 1 GIC was proved by in situ Raman spectroscopic measurement. The formation of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) films formed on MCMB and metal lithium electrode was studied by in situ reflectance FTIR spectroscopic method. At MCMB electrode surface, the solvent (mostly ethylene carbonate) decomposed during charging process and ROCO₂Li may be the product. ROCO₂Li, ROLi, and Li₂CO₃ were the main composites of SEI film formed on lithium electrode, not on electrodeposited lithium electrode or lithium foil electrode.     

Mitigating Swelling of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase using an Inorganic Anion Switch for Low-temperature Lithium-ion Batteries

In overcoming the Li⁺ desolvation barrier for low-temperature battery operation, a weakly-solvated electrolyte based on carboxylate solvent has shown promises. In case of an organic-anion-enriched primary solvation sheath (PSS), we found that the electrolyte tends to form a highly swollen, unstable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) that shows a high permeability to the electrolyte components, accounting for quickly declined electrochemical performance of graphite-based anode. Here we proposed a facile strategy to tune the swelling property of SEI by introducing an inorganic anion switch into the PSS, via LiDFP co-solute method. By forming a low-swelling, Li₃PO₄-rich SEI, the electrolyte-consuming parasitic reactions and solvent co-intercalation at graphite-electrolyte interface are suppressed, which contributes to efficient Li⁺ transport, reversible Li⁺ (de)intercalation and stable structural evolution of graphite anode in high-energy Li-ion batteries at a low temperature of −20 °C.     

Li_2CO_3添加剂对石墨电极性能的影响

运用电化学阻抗谱(EIS)和循环伏安法(CV)研究了在1mol/LLiPF6-EC(碳酸乙烯酯):DMC(碳酸二甲酯)电解液中添加Li2CO3对石墨电极性能的影响及机制.CV研究结果表明,在1mol/LLiPF6-EC:DMC电解液中添加Li2CO3能够有效抑制石墨电极首次充放电过程中碳酸乙烯酯(EC)的单电子还原过程,即还原分解产生乙烯和碳酸锂的过程,进而改善石墨电极的电化学循环性能.EIS研究结果表明,在添加Li2CO3的1mol/LLiPF6-EC:DMC电解液中,石墨电极表面的固体电解质相界面膜(SEI膜)具有较强的黏弹性,可以更好地适应锂离子嵌入过程中石墨颗粒体积的微小变化,从而使锂离子的嵌入过程更容易进行.     

Partially Reduced Graphite Oxide as an Electrode Material for Electrochemical Double‐Layer Capacitors

Partially reduced graphite oxide was prepared from graphite oxide by using synthetic graphite as precursor. The reduction of graphite oxide with a layer distance of 0.57 nm resulted in a reduction of the layer distance depending on the degree of reduction. Simultaneously the amount of oxygen functionalities in the graphite oxide was reduced, which was corroborated by elemental analysis and EDX. The electrochemical activation of the partially reduced graphite oxide was investigated for tetraethylammonium tetrafluoroborate in acetonitrile and in propylene carbonate. The activation potential depends significantly on the degree of reduction, that is, on the graphene‐layer distance and on the solvent used. The activation potential decreased with increasing layer distance for both positive and negative activation. The resulting capacitance after activation was found to be affected by the layer distance, the oxygen functionalities and the used electrolyte. For a layer distance of 0.43 nm and with acetonitrile as the solvent, a differential capacitance of 220 Fg^?1 was achieved for the discharge of the positive electrode near the open‐circuit potential and 195 Fg^?1 in a symmetric full‐cell assembly.     

Nanocrystalline cellulose-reinforced composite mats for lithium-ion batteries: electrochemical and thermomechanical performance

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC)-reinforced poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) composite mats have been prepared by electrospinning method. Polymer electrolytes formed by activating the composite mats with 1 M lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide/1-butyl-3-methypyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide electrolyte solution. The addition of 2 wt% NCC in PVdF-HFP improved the electrolyte retention and storage modulus of the separator by 63 and 15 %, respectively. The developed electrolyte demonstrated high value of ionic conductivity viz. 4?×?10^?4?S?cm^?1 at 30 °C. Linear scan voltammetry revealed a wide electrochemical stability of the composite mat separator up to 5 V (vs. Li⁺/Li). Cyclic voltammetry of the polymer electrolyte with a graphite electrode in 2.5 to 0 V (vs. Li⁺/Li) potential range showed a reversible intercalation/de-intercalation of Li⁺ ions in the graphite. No peaks were observed related to the reduction of the electrolyte on the anode.     

基于阴离子-石墨嵌层化合物的电化学电容器

石墨可以在高电势下电化学可逆存储阴离子,有望在高电压储能器件中担当正极材料.本文介绍了基于阴离子-石墨嵌层化合物型正极材料的高比能电容器的研究进展,剖析了影响电容器性能的各方面因素,探讨了一系列表征相关电极材料储能机制的方法和手段,揭示了溶剂化效应对阴离子插嵌石墨正极电化学行为的关键性作用.并进一步概述了该种正极材料近年来在新型储能器件-双离子电池中的发展态势,展望了其应用前景和即将面临的潜在问题.     

锂离子电池电解液中甲醇杂质对石墨电极性能影响机制的电化学阻抗谱研究

运用电化学阻抗谱和循环伏安法研究了在1mol/LLiPF6-EC/DEC/DMC电解液中,不同甲醇杂质含量对石墨电极性能的影响及其机制.结果表明,甲醇对石墨电极性能的影响与电解液中甲醇的含量有关;其对石墨电极性能的影响机制为甲醇在2.0V左右还原生成的甲氧基锂沉积在石墨电极表面上,形成一层初始SEI膜,影响了EC的还原分解成膜过程.     

V_2O_5/C电化学电容器有机电解液的性能研究

以偏钒酸铵为反应原料,采用液相沉淀法制备出不定型V2O5电极材料.以V2O5为正极,石墨为负极,分别选用1.0 mol/L LiClO4/EC+DMC、1.0 mol/L LiPF6/EC+DEC+DMC、1.6 mol/L Et4NBF4/AN 3种有机电解液组成不对称电化学电容器,恒流充放电、循环伏安和交流阻抗等测试该模拟电容器,如以1.0 mol/LLiClO4/EC+DMC作电解液则具有良好的循环性能和较小的阻抗,且在500 mA/g电流密度下比能量达到8.4Wh/kg,充放电效率达98%.     

In situ electrochemical studies for Li+ ions dissociation from the LiCoO2 electrode by the substrate-generation/tip-collection mode in SECM

This work presents the transportation of Li⁺ ions at the interface of a charging LiCoO₂ electrode through the substrate-generation/tip-collection (SG/TC) feedback mode of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM). The TC current, due to the reduction of the ethylene carbonate (EC) supermolecule, is collected more strongly at 1.8 V than that of the Li⁺(DEC) _n at 2.5 V near at the substrate because of the increased concentration of the supermolecule Li⁺(EC)_m, which means that the electrolyte is not uniformly distributed over the substrate. The smooth SG/TC current loop is formed at the probe position optimized by the probe scan curve technique between the LiCoO₂ substrate with 4.0 V and the probe with 1.8 V, which is applied to analyze the Li⁺ ion transport at the interface of the LiCoO₂ electrode. Moreover, the LiCoO₂ substrate, which has a flat surface, is imaged to the nonuniform surface electrochemically by the SECM. We infer that these experimental techniques will help analyze transporting Li⁺ ions at the interface and the electrochemical uniformity of the electrode.