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.