Synergistic Effect of Lithium (difluoromethanesulfonyl)(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)Imide (LiDFTFSI) and Vinylene Carbonate (VC) on High Performance of NMC811║Graphite Cells
Authors: Yan Peng , Shevchuk Mykhailo , Woelke Christian , Pfeiffer Felix , Berghus Debbie , Baghernejad Masoud , Röschenthaler Gerd-Volker , Winter Martin , Cekic-Laskovic Isidora 
Published: February 2024

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have gained increasing importance in energy storage systems, driven by the growing demands of grid storage, automotive, and portable consumer applications. To meet the need for high energy density batteries, one promising approach involves the utilization of high capacity layered transition metal oxide cathodes, such as nickel-rich LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811), which can deliver a high reversible specific capacity of over 180 mAh·g-1
[1,2]. However, due to the structural and interfacial instability[3], nickel-rich NMC cathode still faces challenges in long-term galvanostatic cycling. For these reasons, design of novel electrolyte formulations, which enable formation of an effective cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI), is highly desirable. Recent studies have highlighted the cross-talk between the cathode and anode, indicating that the evolution of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) can impact the formation of the CEI[4]. Thus, establishing an effective SEI/CEI pair is essential for achieving long-term cycling of nickel-rich NMC cathode-based cells. Electrolyte optimization plays a crucial role in facilitating the formation of a desirable SEI/CEI pair, leading to an improved cell performance and longevity. Lithium (difluoromethanesulfonyl)(trifluoro-methanesulfonyl)imide (LiDFTFSI) has proven to be promising in solid-polymer-electrolyte batteries due to the good SEI/CEI formation ability and suppressed Al-dissolution[5]. Additionally, LiDFTFSI exhibits also good compatibility with Li-metal batteries[6], heralding promising applications in Li-ion batteries. However, there is lack of systematic research investigating the potential impact of LiDFTFSI on the cathode as well as on resulting CEI formation and dynamics.
In this work, we demonstrated enhanced galvanostatic cycling performance of NMC811||graphite cells achieved by utilizing LiDFTFSI and lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) in a blended salt organic carbonate-based electrolyte formulation. Comprehensive electrochemical and post mortem analysis revealed that the LiDFTFSI alone can effectively mitigate the structural changes in the NMC811 electrode by facilitating the formation of modified CEI. However, the continued growth of an inhomogeneous CEI, caused by the cross-talk effect between electrodes, adversely affected long-term cycling stability. To address this, vinylene carbonate (VC) was introduced to the electrolyte. Synergistic effect with LiDFTFSI leads to the formation of effective and uniform SEI and CEI. As a result, 720 charge/discharge cycles were achieved in NMC811||graphite cells with LiDFTFSI and VC containing electrolytes at 1C while maintaining 80% state-of-health (SOH80%).

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