Reactivity of Succinic Anhydride at Lithium and Graphite Electrodes

Abstract

© The Author(s) 2017. Published by ECS. All rights reserved. Succinic anhydride (SA) is an useful electrolyte additive for high voltage cathodes but has also a negative impact on graphite (Gr) or Li anodes. For this reason, the Li/electrolyte and Gr/electrolyte interfaces were investigated at 20°C and 45°C using half or symmetrical cells. When SA is added at 1% by weight to the electrolyte (alkylcarbonate mixture + LiPF 6 ), an increase in the Li/Li cell impedance at 20°C occurs owing to the formation of a resistive solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), composed of an inorganic inner layer and an organic outer layer, whereas at 45°C or in absence of SA, the interphase is more inorganic in nature. The reversible capacity of graphite, cycled in Gr/Li half-cells in the presence of SA, is very low at 20°C but almost ten times larger at 45°C. Cycling symmetrical Gr/Gr cells at 45°C indicates that Gr capacity is lower in the presence of SA in connection with the presence of an organic and polymer rich SEI. GC-MS analysis of the electrolyte after cycling shows that ethylene glycol bis-(alkylcarbonate) derivatives disappear when SA is present, owing to the ability of SA to react with lithium alkoxides to yield oligopolyester.