Characterization of the SEI on a Carbon Film Electrode by Combined EQCM and Spectroscopic Ellipsometry

The electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) and cyclic voltammetry have been applied simultaneously to characterize electron-beam deposited carbon film electrodes in -containing mixed electrolytes of ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC). The structure of the carbon electrode was found to be amorphous/disordered using Raman spectroscopy. Cyclic voltammetry in demonstrated features typical of Li intercalation/deintercalation into/from the disordered carbon electrode, and EQCM showed a corresponding mass increase/decrease. Combined EQCM and spectroscopic ellipsometry data were compared, and the solid electrolyte interphase density after the first cycle in was estimated to be 1.3 © 2003 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.