Influence of electrolyte additives on safety and cycle life of rechargeable lithium cells

The influence of electrolyte additives on the safety and cycle life of 4V-class lithium cells is examined. The electrolyte solution employed was 1 M LiClO₄-propylene carbonate, the most widely used electrolyte in lithium battery research. The additives studied were ten organic aromatic compounds including biphenyl, cyclohexylbenzene and hydrogenated diphenyleneoxide. For safety, focus was given to the overcharging tolerance of the lithium cells. Biphenyl is well-known as an overcharge protection additive. The purpose of this work was to find additives with a higher oxidation potential and longer charge–discharge cycle life than biphenyl. The oxidation potentials and currents of the additives were measured to determine whether or not these compounds work as overcharge protection additives. Charge–discharge cycling efficiencies were examined for lithium metal anodes. The results showed that cyclohexylbenzene and hydrogenated diphenyleneoxide have a higher oxidation potential and a higher lithium cycling efficiency than biphenyl.