CHEMICAL FORMATION OF A SOLID-ELECTROLYTE INTERFACE ON THE CARBON ELECTRODE OF A LI-ION CELL

Carbon black electrodes were prepared as a model system in which to st udy the irreversible capacity observed in Li-ion battery negative elec trodes during the first cycle in an ethylene carbonate-diethyl carbona te electrolyte. A chemical treatment of electrodes with n-butyl lithiu m prior to cell construction was found to reduce the charge normally a ssociated with the formation of a solid electrolyte interface. The eff ects of treatment time on the coulometric insertion profile, irreversi ble capacity, and electrode morphology were examined.