Aluminum corrosion in lithium batteries - An investigation using the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance

An electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance is used in an investigation of the corrosion of aluminum in electrolytes appropriate for lithium batter ies. The electrolytes are solutions of LiN(CF3SO2)(2) LIC(CF3SO2)(3), LiCF3 SO3, LiPF6, LiBF4, and LiClO4, singly or in a limited number of combination s, in propylene carbonate (PC) and polyethylene glycol dimethyl ether Alumi num that is scratched or abraded in an inert atmosphere (so that a protecti ve surface film does not reform) undergoes significant corrosion in PC cont aining LiN(CF3SO2)(2), LiC(CF3SO2)(3), LiCF3SO3, and LiClO4, but forms a pr otective film in PC containing LiPF6, or LiBF4. A mechanism of corrosion of aluminum in LiN(CF3SO2)(2)/PC is proposed. (C) 2000 The Electrochemical So ciety. S0013-4651(99)10-054-5. All rights reserved.