Solvents effects on electrochemical characteristics of graphite fluoride—lithium batteries

A study was made of the electrochemical characteristics of graphite fluoride—lithium batteries in various non-aqueous solvents. Two types of graphite fluorides, (C₂F)_n and (CF)_n were used as cathode materials. The discharge characteristics of graphite fluorides were better in dimethylsulfoxide, γ-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate and sulfolane in that order. The relation between electrode potential of graphite fluoride and solvation energy of lithium ion with each solvent indicates that solvated lithium ion is intercalated into traphite fluoride layers by the electrode reaction. Both the difference in the overpotentials and in the rates of OCV recovery among these solvents further supports the proposed reaction mechanism.