Irreversible Capacities of Graphite in Low‐Temperature Electrolytes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Carbonaceous anode materials in lithium‐ion rechargeable cells exhibit irreversible capacity, mainly due to reaction of lithium during the formation of passive surface films. The stability and kinetics of lithium intercalation into the carbon anodes are determined by these films. The nature, thickness, and morphology of these films are in turn affected by the electrolyte components, primarily the solvent constituents. In this work, the films formed on graphite anodes in low‐temperature electrolytes, i.e., solutions with different mixtures of alkyl carbonates and low‐viscosity solvent additives, are examined using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. In addition, other ex situ studies such as X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy were carried out on the graphite anodes to understand their microstructures. © 1999 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.