LITHIUM ELECTRODES WITH AND WITHOUT CO2 TREATMENT - ELECTROCHEMICAL-BEHAVIOR AND EFFECT ON HIGH-RATE LITHIUM BATTERY PERFORMANCE

The ionic resistivity and integrity of a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) him on a lithium electrode surface was investigated. The preform ed lithium carbonate film on the surface of the lithium electrode was found to improve the electrode behavior by maintaining a low ionic res istance. In lithium/silver vanadium oxide batteries, voltage delay can be eliminated with the use of a lithium anode pretreated with CO2. An SEI consisting of lithium carbonate appears to be responsible. Unlike the surface film formed from lithium-electrolyte reactions, the lithi um carbonate film is relatively strong and can withstand high current density pulses (similar to 20 mA/cm(2)) without significant damage. An ion exchange mechanism involving the carbonate anion is proposed.