Lithium Dendrite Formation in Li/Poly(ethylene oxide)–Lithium Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide and N-Methyl-N-propylpiperidinium Bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide/Li Cells

Abstract

Lithium metal dendrite growth in Li/poly(ethylene oxide)-lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PEOx LiTFSI) and in an ionic liquid, N -methyl- N -propylpiperidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (PP13TFSI) composite solid polymer electrolyte/Li was examined by direct in situ observation. Lithium dendrite formation was observed after 15 h of polarization at 0.5 mA cm-2 and at 60°C on PEO18 LiTFSI. The onset time was increased to 35 h at 0.5 mA cm-2 by the addition of PP13TFSI into PEO18 LiTFSI up to 1.44 mol. The dendrite onset time decreased with increasing current density and deviated from Sand's law in the current density range of 0.1-0.5 mA cm-2 at 60°C. The electrical conductivity of PEO18 LiTFSI was enhanced, and the interface resistance between Li and PEO18 LiTFSI was suppressed by the addition of PP13TFSI. The lithium ion transport number of the composite electrolyte decreased with increasing x in PEO18 LiTFSI-xPP 13TFSI. The suppression of the lithium dendrite formation could be explained by the low resistance of the interface layer between lithium and the composite polymer electrolyte. © 2010 The Electrochemical Society.