New cyclic carbonate solvent for lithium ion batteries: trans-2,3-butylenecarbonate

A new cyclic carbonate useful for lithium ion batteries with graphitic carb on anode is presented. Although it is structurally very similar to propylen e carbonate, it is much less reactive toward graphite than propylene carbon ate. The decrease in the reactivity can be explained in terms of its unique geometry that hinders its co-intercalation into the layer spacing of graph ite structure. We demonstrate that electrolytes containing this solvent exh ibit a satisfactory initial efficiency and discharge performance at low tem perature. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.