A novel partly fluorinated solvent for Lithium ion batteries, N,N-dimethyl
trifluoracetamide (DTA), is presented. The physical properties and the elec
trochemical behaviour of this compound are investigated. With its low visco
sity and high boiling point and flash point it could replace low viscosity
solvents (thinners) such as dimethyl carbonate or diethyl carbonate current
ly used in lithium ion battery electrolytes to achieve the demand for safer
lithium ion batteries. The outstanding filming properties allow to use the
DTA even in mixtures with PC in amounts of 10%. With both solvents having
a freezing point below -40 degreesC, the mixture is promising as low temper
ature electrolyte. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.