Patent Description:
A rechargeable lithium battery may be recharged, and may have a high energy density per unit weight of three or more times that of a lead storage battery, nickelcadmium battery, nickel hydrogen battery, nickel zinc battery and/or the like. It may be also charged at a high rate and thus, is commercially suitable for a laptop, a cell phone, an electric tool, an electric bike, and/or the like, and research on improving additional energy density is ongoing.

An example rechargeable lithium battery is manufactured by injecting an electrolyte into a battery cell, which includes a positive electrode including a positive active material capable of intercalating/deintercalating lithium ions, and a negative electrode including a negative active material capable of intercalating/deintercalating lithium ions.

The electrolyte includes an organic solvent in which a lithium salt is dissolved, and may critically determine the stability and performance of a rechargeable lithium battery.

LiPF<NUM> is the most commonly utilized lithium salt in an electrolyte, but has a problematic tendency to react with an electrolytic solvent, resulting in solvent depletion and generation of a large amount of gas. When LiPF<NUM> is decomposed, it generates LiF and PFs, which leads to electrolyte depletion in the battery, resulting in degraded high temperature performance and/or poor safety.

There are needs for an electrolyte that suppresses or reduces side reactions of such a lithium salt and improves the performance of the battery.

One or more aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward an electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery that suppresses an increase in resistance during high-temperature storage and improves battery performance by reducing gas generation.

One or more aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a rechargeable lithium battery including the electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery including a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and an additive, wherein the additive includes a compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> and a compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM>.

The compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may be represented by Chemical Formula <NUM>-<NUM> or Chemical Formula <NUM>-<NUM>:
<CHM>.

In Chemical Formulae <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>,
R<NUM> to R<NUM> may each independently be hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C10 alkenyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C10 alkynyl group. More preferably, each of R<NUM> to R<NUM> may be hydrogen.

The compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may be <NUM>-fluoro-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-dioxaphospholane represented by Chemical Formula <NUM>-1a:
<CHM>
<CHM>.

The compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may be represented by Chemical Formula <NUM>-<NUM>:
<CHM>.

A weight ratio of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> to the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may be <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

The weight ratio of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> to the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may be <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

The compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may be included in an amount of <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% based on <NUM> wt% of the non-aqueous organic solvent.

One or more embodiments of the present disclosure provide a rechargeable lithium battery including a positive electrode; a negative electrode; and the electrolyte.

The rechargeable lithium battery having excellent or suitable high-temperature storage characteristics may be implemented by suppressing an increase in resistance during high-temperature storage and reducing gas generation.

The drawing is an exploded perspective view of a rechargeable lithium battery according to an embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments are described in more detail. However, these embodiments are examples, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the present disclosure is defined by the scope of the claims.

Expressions such as "at least one of," "one of," and "selected from," when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

As used herein, when a definition is not otherwise provided, "substituted" refers to replacement of hydrogen of a compound by a substituent selected from a halogen atom (F, Br, Cl, or I), a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group, a nitro group, a cyano group, an amino group, an azido group, an amidino group, a hydrazino group, a hydrazono group, a carbonyl group, a carbamyl group, a thiol group, an ester group, a carboxyl group or a salt thereof, a sulfonic acid group or a salt thereof, a phosphoric acid group or a salt thereof, a C1 to C20 alkyl group, a C2 to C20 alkenyl group, a C2 to C20 alkynyl group, a C6 to C30 aryl group, a C7 to C30 arylalkyl group, a C1 to C4 alkoxy group, a C1 to C20 heteroalkyl group, a C3 to C20 heteroarylalkyl group, a C3 to C30 cycloalkyl group, a C3 to C15 cycloalkenyl group, a C6 to C15 cycloalkynyl group, a C2 to C20 heterocycloalkyl group, and a combination thereof.

As used herein, when a definition is not otherwise provided, "hetero" indicates that the group, moiety, etc. includes <NUM> to <NUM> heteroatoms selected from nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), sulfur (S), and phosphorus (P).

Hereinafter, an electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery according to an embodiment is described.

An electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery according to an embodiment includes a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and an additive, wherein the additive includes a compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> and a compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM>.

In Chemical Formula <NUM>,
A may be a C1 to C10 alkylene group, or (-C<NUM>H<NUM>-O-C<NUM>H<NUM>-)m, wherein m may be an integer of <NUM> to <NUM>.

The compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> includes a difluorophosphite (-OPF<NUM>) group having excellent or suitable electrical and chemical reactivity at the terminal end (e.g., two difluorophosphite groups, each at opposite ends).

The compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> serves to prevent or reduce hydrolysis by stabilizing the LiPF<NUM> salt in the electrolyte. For example, the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may be oxidized on the surface of a positive electrode to form a phosphate functional group (e.g., a compound including one or more phosphate functional groups), and the functional group may function as an anion receptor to stably form (e.g., stabilize) PF<NUM>- and increase ion pair separation of Li+ and PF<NUM>-, improving solubility of LiF in the electrolyte and reducing interfacial resistance.

In particular, the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> has a lower oxidation potential than that of the solvent and thus forms an SEI film on the surface of a negative electrode before the electrolyte is decomposed, resultantly preventing or reducing oxidation of the electrolyte on the negative electrode.

A product (i.e., phosphite) from the oxidation of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> on the positive electrode may be moved (e.g., diffused) to the negative electrode and may thus form an SEI film from reduction of the phosphite on the negative electrode, thereby suppressing or reducing a side reaction with the electrolyte.

The compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may form a stable SEI film having high heat resistance through a synergy effect with the phosphite functional group of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM>, so that the SEI film may remain still firm (e.g., may be stable) even when stored for a long time at a high temperature. As the SEI film is maintained, the SEI film may prevent or reduce exposure of the surface of the positive electrode and may thus more effectively suppress or reduce reactions on the interface of the positive electrode with the electrolyte, suppress or reduce high temperature-gas generation due to the stable film at a high temperature, and also suppress or reduce decomposition of the solvent of the electrolyte, thereby improving the high temperature storage characteristics of a rechargeable lithium battery.

Resultantly, the compounds represented by Chemical Formulae <NUM> and <NUM> are utilized together to form the SEI film on the surface of the negative electrode or a protective layer on the surface of the positive electrode to improve thermal stability, thereby providing a rechargeable lithium battery with excellent or suitable temperature stability and cycle-life characteristics.

In some embodiments, the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may be for example represented by Chemical Formula <NUM>-<NUM> or Chemical Formula <NUM>-<NUM>.

In Chemical Formulae <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>,
R<NUM> to R<NUM> may each independently be hydrogen, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C10 alkenyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C10 alkynyl group.

In an embodiment, R<NUM> to R<NUM> may each independently be hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C10 alkyl group, or R<NUM> to R<NUM> may each independently be hydrogen.

The compounds represented by Chemical Formulae <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> each have an electron-accepting fluorine substituent directly bonded to the central atom, phosphorus (P(III)), so that the stability of the SEI film present on the surface of the negative electrode may be further improved.

In an embodiment, the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may be <NUM>-fluoro-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-dioxaphospholane.

The compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may be represented by Chemical Formula <NUM>-<NUM>:
<CHM>
<CHM>.

A weight ratio of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> and the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may be <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. When the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> and the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> are utilized within the above weight ratio range, stability during high temperature storage may be further improved.

For example, the weight ratio of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> to the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may be <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, or <NUM>:<NUM>. For example, the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may be included in a greater amount than that of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM>. For example, the weight ratio of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> to the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may be <NUM>:<NUM>.

The compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> may be included in an amount of <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%, for example <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%, <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%, or <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% based on <NUM> wt% of the non-aqueous organic solvent.

When the content (e.g., amount) range of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> is as described above, a high-temperature storage performance of the battery may be improved.

When the content (e.g., amount) range of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> is as described above, the heat resistance of the film formed on the surface of the positive electrode may be improved.

The lithium salt is dissolved in an organic solvent, supplies a battery with lithium ions, basically operates the rechargeable lithium battery, and improves transportation of the lithium ions between positive and negative electrodes. Examples of the lithium salt may include at least one supporting salt selected from LiPF<NUM>, LiBF<NUM>, LiSbF<NUM>, LiAsF<NUM>, LiN(SO<NUM>C<NUM>F<NUM>)<NUM>, Li(CF<NUM>SO<NUM>)<NUM>N, LiN(SO<NUM>C<NUM>F<NUM>)<NUM>, Li(FSO<NUM>)<NUM>N (lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide), LiFSI), LiC<NUM>F<NUM>SO<NUM>, LiClO<NUM>, LiAlO<NUM>, LiAlCl<NUM>, LiPO<NUM>F<NUM>, LiN(CxF2x+<NUM>SO<NUM>)(CyF2y+<NUM>SO<NUM>) (wherein x and y are natural numbers, for example an integer of <NUM> to <NUM>), lithium difluorobis(oxolato) phosphate, LiCl, Lil, LiB(C<NUM>O<NUM>)<NUM> (lithium bis(oxalato) borate), LiBOB), and lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate (LiDFOB). The lithium salt may be utilized in a concentration in a range of about <NUM> to about <NUM>. When the lithium salt is included at the above concentration range, an electrolyte may have excellent or suitable performance and/or lithium ion mobility due to optimal or suitable electrolyte conductivity and/or viscosity.

The non-aqueous organic solvent may include a carbonate-based, ester-based, ether-based, ketone-based, alcohol-based, and/or aprotic solvent.

For example, the non-aqueous organic solvent may be a mixed solvent including ethylene carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, methyl propyl carbonate, ethyl propyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate (DEC), dipropyl carbonate, propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC), fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC), butylene carbonate, ethyl propionate, ethyl butyrate, acetonitrile, succinonitrile (SN), dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, dimethyl acetamide, gamma-valerolactone, gamma-butyrolactone tetrahydrofuran, or any combination thereof.

When a mixture of the organic solvents is utilized, the mixing ratio may be appropriately adjusted according to desired or suitable battery performance, which can be widely understood by those skilled in the art.

Another embodiment provides a rechargeable lithium battery including a positive electrode; a negative electrode; and the aforementioned electrolyte.

The positive electrode may include a current collector and a positive active material layer including a positive active material, which is formed on the current collector.

The positive active material may include lithiated intercalation compounds that reversibly intercalate and deintercalate lithium ions.

For example, at least one composite oxide of lithium and a metal selected from cobalt, manganese, nickel, aluminum, and combinations thereof may be utilized.

Non-limiting examples thereof may include compounds represented by of the following chemical formulae.

LiaA<NUM>-bXbD<NUM> (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>); LiaA<NUM>-bXbO<NUM>-cDc (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ c ≤ <NUM>); LiaE<NUM>-bXbO<NUM>-cDc (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ c ≤ <NUM>); LiaE<NUM>-bXbO<NUM>-cDc (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ c ≤ <NUM>); LiaNi<NUM>-b-cCobXcDα (<NUM> ≤ a ≤<NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ c ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> < α ≤ <NUM>); LiaNi<NUM>-b-cCobXcO<NUM>-αTα (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ c ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> < α < <NUM>); LiaNi<NUM>-b-cCobXcO<NUM>-αT<NUM> (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ c ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> < α < <NUM>); LiaNi<NUM>-b-cMnbXcDα (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ c ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> < α ≤ <NUM>); LiaNi<NUM>-b-cMnbXcO<NUM>-αTα (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ c ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> < α < <NUM>); LiaNi<NUM>-b-cMnbXcO<NUM>-αT<NUM> ( <NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ c ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> < α < <NUM>); LiaNibEcGdO<NUM> (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ c ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ d ≤ <NUM>); LiaNibCocMndGeO<NUM> (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ c ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ d ≤<NUM>, <NUM> ≤ e ≤ <NUM>); LiaNiGbO<NUM> (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>); LiaCoGbO<NUM> (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>); LiaMn<NUM>-bGbO<NUM> (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>); LiaMn<NUM>GbO<NUM> (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ b ≤ <NUM>); LiaMn<NUM>-gGgPO<NUM> (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>, <NUM> ≤ g ≤ <NUM>); QO<NUM>; QS<NUM>; LiQS<NUM>; V<NUM>O<NUM>; LiV<NUM>O<NUM>; LiZO<NUM>; LiNiVO<NUM>; Li(<NUM>-f)J<NUM>(PO<NUM>)<NUM> (<NUM> ≤ f ≤ <NUM>); Li(<NUM>-f)Fe<NUM>(PO<NUM>)<NUM> (<NUM> ≤ f ≤ <NUM>); LiaFePO<NUM> (<NUM> ≤ a ≤ <NUM>).

In chemical formulae above, A is selected from Ni, Co, Mn, and a combination thereof; X is selected from Al, Ni, Co, Mn, Cr, Fe, Mg, Sr, V, a rare earth element, and a combination thereof; D is selected from O, F, S, P, and a combination thereof; E is selected from Co, Mn, and a combination thereof; T is selected from F, S, P, and a combination thereof; G is selected from Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mg, La, Ce, Sr, V, and a combination thereof; Q is selected from Ti, Mo, Mn, and a combination thereof; Z is selected from Cr, V, Fe, Sc, Y, and a combination thereof; and J is selected from V, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, and a combination thereof.

The positive active material may include the positive active material with the coating layer, or a mixture of the positive active material and the positive active material coated with the coating layer. The coating layer may include a coating element compound selected from an oxide or hydroxide of a coating element, an oxyhydroxide of a coating element, an oxycarbonate of a coating element, or a hydroxycarbonate of a coating element. The compound for the coating layer may be either amorphous or crystalline. The coating element included in the coating layer may be magnesium (Mg), aluminum (Al), cobalt (Co), potassium (K), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), silicon (Si), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), tin (Sn), germanium (Ge), gallium (Ga), boron (B), arsenic (As), zirconium (Zr), or a mixture thereof. The coating process may include any suitable process (e.g., spray coating, dipping, etc.) as long as it does not cause any side effects to the properties of the positive active material.

An amount of the positive active material may be about <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt% based on the total weight of the positive active material layer.

In an embodiment, the positive active material layer may include a binder and a conductive material. Herein, the amounts of the binder and conductive material may each independently be about <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt% based on the total weight of the positive active material layer.

The binder may improve the binding properties of positive active material particles with one another and with a current collector. Examples thereof may include (e.g., be) polyvinyl alcohol, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, diacetyl cellulose, polyvinylchloride, carboxylated polyvinylchloride, polyvinylfluoride, an ethylene oxide-containing polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, polypropylene, a styrene-butadiene rubber, an acrylated styrene-butadiene rubber, an epoxy resin, nylon, and/or the like, but are not limited thereto.

The conductive material is included to improve electrode conductivity. Any electrically conductive material may be utilized as a conductive material unless it causes an unwanted chemical change. Examples of the conductive material may include a carbon-based material (such as natural graphite, artificial graphite, carbon black, acetylene black, ketjen black, a carbon fiber, and/or the like); a metal-based material of a metal powder or a metal fiber including copper, nickel, aluminum, silver, and/or the like; a conductive polymer (such as a polyphenylene derivative); or a mixture thereof.

The current collector may be an Al foil, but is not limited thereto.

The negative electrode includes a current collector and a negative active material layer formed on the current collector.

The negative active material may be a material that reversibly intercalates/deintercalates lithium ions, a lithium metal, a lithium metal alloy, a material capable of doping and dedoping lithium, or a transition metal oxide.

The material that reversibly intercalates/deintercalates lithium ions includes carbon materials. The carbon material may be any generally- utilized carbon-based negative active material in a rechargeable lithium ion battery. Examples of the carbon material include crystalline carbon, amorphous carbon, and a combination thereof. The crystalline carbon may be non-shaped, or sheet, flake, spherical, or fiber shaped natural graphite or artificial graphite. The amorphous carbon may be a soft carbon, a hard carbon, a mesophase pitch carbonized product, calcined coke, and/or the like.

The lithium metal alloy may include lithium and a metal selected from sodium (Na), potassium (K), rubidium (Rb), cesium (Cs), francium (Fr), beryllium (Be), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), silicon (Si), antimony (Sb), lead (Pb), indium (In), zinc (Zn), barium (Ba), radium (Ra), germanium (Ge), aluminum (Al), and tin (Sn).

The material capable of doping and dedoping lithium may include Si, SiOx (<NUM> < x < <NUM>), a Si-Q alloy (wherein Q is selected from an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, a Group <NUM> element, a Group <NUM> element excluding Si, a Group <NUM> element, a Group <NUM> element, a transition metal element, a rare earth element, and any combination thereof), Sn, SnO<NUM>, a Sn-R alloy (wherein R is an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, a Group <NUM> element, a Group <NUM> element excluding Sn, a Group <NUM> element, a Group <NUM> element, a transition metal element, a rare earth element, or any combination thereof, and/or the like. At least one of them may be mixed with SiO<NUM>. The elements Q and R may be selected from magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), radium (Ra), scandium (Sc), yttrium (Y), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), rutherfordium (Rf), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), dubnium (Db), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), tungsten (W), seaborgium (Sg), technetium (Tc), rhenium (Re), bohrium (Bh), iron (Fe), lead (Pb), ruthenium (Ru), osmium (Os), hassium (Hs), rhodium (Rh), iridium (Ir), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), copper (Cu), silver (Ag), gold (Au), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), boron (B), aluminum (Al), gallium (Ga), tin (Sn), indium (In), thallium (TI), germanium (Ge), phosphorus (P), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb), bismuth (Bi), sulfur (S), selenium (Se), tellurium (Te), polonium (Po), and combinations thereof.

The transition metal oxide may be a vanadium oxide, a lithium vanadium oxide, and/or the like.

In the negative active material layer, the negative active material may be included in an amount of about <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt% based on the total weight of the negative active material layer.

In an embodiment, the negative active material layer may include a binder, and optionally a conductive material. In the negative active material layer, the amount of the binder may be about <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt% based on the total weight of the negative active material layer. When the negative active material layer further includes the conductive material, it may include about <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt% of the negative active material, about <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt% of the binder, and about <NUM> wt% to about <NUM> wt% of the conductive material.

The binder may improve the binding properties of negative active material particles with one another and with a current collector. The binder may be a non-water-soluble binder, a water-soluble binder, or any combination thereof.

The non-water-soluble binder may be polyvinylchloride, carboxylated polyvinylchloride, polyvinylfluoride, an ethylene oxide-containing polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamideimide, polyimide, or any combination thereof.

The water-soluble binder may be a rubber-based binder or a polymer resin binder. The rubber-based binder may be selected from a styrene-butadiene rubber, an acrylated styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, an acrylic rubber, a butyl rubber, a fluorine rubber, and combinations thereof. The polymer resin binder may be selected from polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene propylene copolymer, polyethylene oxide, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyepichlorohydrin, polyphosphazene, polyacrylonitrile, polystyrene, an ethylene propylene diene copolymer, polyvinylpyridine, chlorosulfonated polyethylene, latex, a polyester resin, an acrylic resin, a phenolic resin, an epoxy resin, polyvinyl alcohol, and combinations thereof.

When the water-soluble binder is utilized as the negative electrode binder, a cellulose-based compound may be further utilized to provide viscosity, e.g., as a thickener. The cellulose-based compound may include one or more of carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, and alkali metal salts thereof. The alkali metal may be Na, K, or Li. Such a thickener may be included in an amount of about <NUM> to about <NUM> parts by weight based on <NUM> parts by weight of the negative active material.

The conductive material is included to provide electrode conductivity. Any electrically conductive material may be utilized as a conductive material unless it causes a chemical change. Examples thereof may be a carbon-based material (such as natural graphite, artificial graphite, carbon black, acetylene black, ketjen black, carbon fiber and/or the like); a metal-based material (such as a metal powder or a metal fiber and/or the like of copper, nickel, aluminum, silver, and/or the like); a conductive polymer (such as a polyphenylene derivative and/or the like), or a mixture thereof.

The current collector may be selected from a copper foil, a nickel foil, a stainless steel foil, a titanium foil, a nickel foam, a copper foam, a polymer substrate coated with a conductive metal, and combinations thereof.

The rechargeable lithium battery may further include a separator between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, depending on the type or kind of battery. Such a separator may be a porous substrate or a composite porous substrate.

The porous substrate may be a substrate including pores, and lithium ions may move through the pores. The porous substrate may for example include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and multi-layers thereof (such as a polyethylene/polypropylene double-layered separator, a polyethylene/polypropylene/polyethylene triple-layered separator, and a polypropylene/polyethylene/polypropylene triple-layered separator).

The composite porous substrate may have a form including a porous substrate and a functional layer on the porous substrate. The functional layer may be, for example, at least one of a heat-resistant layer and an adhesive layer from the viewpoint of enabling additional function. For example, the heat-resistant layer may include a heat-resistant resin and optionally a filler.

In some embodiments, the adhesive layer may include an adhesive resin and optionally a filler.

The filler may be an organic filler or an inorganic filler.

The drawing is an exploded perspective view of a rechargeable lithium battery according to an embodiment. The rechargeable lithium battery according to an embodiment is illustrated as a cylindrical battery, but is not limited thereto and may have any suitable form or shape (such as a prismatic or pouch format).

Referring to the drawing, a rechargeable lithium battery <NUM> according to an embodiment includes a positive electrode <NUM> including the positive active material, a negative electrode <NUM>, and a separator <NUM>. The positive electrode <NUM> including the aforementioned positive active material, the negative electrode <NUM>, and the separator <NUM> are wound or folded and accommodated in the battery case <NUM>. Then, the organic electrolyte is injected into the battery case <NUM> and sealed utilizing the cap assembly <NUM> to complete the rechargeable lithium battery <NUM>.

Hereinafter, examples of the present disclosure and comparative examples are described. These examples, however, are not in any sense to be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

LiNi<NUM>Co<NUM>Al<NUM>O<NUM> as a positive active material, polyvinylidene fluoride as a binder, and carbon black as a conductive material were mixed respectively in a weight ratio of <NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM> and then, dispersed in N-methyl pyrrolidone to prepare positive active material slurry.

The positive active material slurry was coated to be <NUM> thick on an Al foil, dried at <NUM>, and pressed to manufacture a positive electrode.

Graphite as a negative active material, polyvinylidene fluoride as a binder, and ketjen black as a conductive material were mixed in a weight ratio of <NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM> and then, dispersed in N-methyl pyrrolidone to prepare negative active material slurry.

The negative active material slurry was coated on a <NUM>-thick Cu foil, dried at <NUM>, and pressed to manufacture a negative electrode.

The manufactured positive and negative electrodes, a <NUM>-thick polyethylene separator, and an electrolyte solution were utilized to manufacture a rechargeable lithium battery cell. The electrolyte solution of the rechargeable lithium battery had the following composition.

Solvent: ethylene carbonate: ethyl methyl carbonate: dimethyl carbonate = <NUM> : <NUM> : <NUM> (EC:EMC:DMC = volume ratio of <NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>).

Additive: <NUM> wt% of <NUM>-fluoro-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-dioxaphospholane as the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM>, and <NUM> wt% of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM>-<NUM> as the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM>
<CHM>.

Herein, in the electrolyte composition, "wt%" is based on <NUM> wt% of solvent.

A rechargeable lithium battery cell was manufactured according to substantially the same method as Example <NUM> except that the content (e.g., amount) of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> was changed into <NUM> wt%.

A rechargeable lithium battery cell was manufactured according to substantially the same method as Example <NUM> except that the contents of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> and the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> were respectively changed into <NUM> wt% and <NUM> wt%.

A rechargeable lithium battery cell was manufactured according to substantially the same method as Example <NUM> except that the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> was utilized instead of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM>, and the contents of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> and compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> were respectively changed into <NUM> wt% and <NUM> wt%:
<CHM>.

A rechargeable lithium battery cell was manufactured according to substantially the same method as Example <NUM> except that both (e.g., simultaneously) the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> and the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> were not utilized.

The rechargeable lithium battery cells according to Examples <NUM> to <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM> were allowed to stand in a charged state (SOC (state of charge) = <NUM>%) at <NUM> for <NUM> days and then, evaluated with respect to a direct current internal resistance (DC-IR) resistance increase after storage at a high temperature of <NUM>, and the results are shown in Table <NUM>.

The DC-IR resistance increase rate (%) after high-temperature storage is a percentage of DC-IR after standing for <NUM> days at a high-temperature of <NUM> to initial DC-IR.

As shown in Table <NUM>, the rechargeable lithium battery cells utilizing an electrolyte including the compounds represented by Chemical Formulae <NUM> and <NUM> in a weight ratio of <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> (according to Examples <NUM> to <NUM>) each exhibited a low DC-IR resistance increase rate during the storage at a high temperature and thus excellent or suitable storage characteristics at the high temperature, compared with the rechargeable lithium battery cells utilizing: (a) an electrolyte including only one of the compounds represented by Chemical Formulae <NUM> and <NUM> (according to Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM>), (b) an electrolyte including neither of the compounds represented by Chemical Formulae <NUM> and <NUM> (according to Comparative Example <NUM>), or (c) an electrolyte including a compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> instead of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> (according to Comparative Example <NUM>).

The battery cells according to Example <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM> were allowed to stand at <NUM> for <NUM> days and then, measured with respect to gas generation amounts (mL) through a refinery gas analysis (RGA). The results are shown in Table <NUM>.

Referring to Table <NUM>, the rechargeable lithium battery cell utilizing an electrolyte including the compound represented by Chemical Formulae <NUM> and <NUM> in a weight ratio of <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM> according to Example <NUM> exhibited a smaller gas generation amount after being stored at a high temperature than the rechargeable lithium battery cells utilizing: (a) an electrolyte including only one of the compounds represented by Chemical Formulae <NUM> and <NUM> (according to Comparative Examples <NUM> and <NUM>), (b) an electrolyte including neither one of the compounds represented by Chemical Formulae <NUM> and <NUM> (according to Comparative Example <NUM>), or (c) an electrolyte including a compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> instead of the compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> according to Comparative Example <NUM>. Accordingly, when electrolytes according to the present examples were included, storage characteristics at a high temperature of a rechargeable lithium battery cell was improved.

The cells of Example <NUM> and Comparative Examples <NUM> to <NUM> were charged with a constant current-constant voltage (CC-CV) of 1C to <NUM> V and cut off at <NUM>. 05C and discharged down to <NUM> V at a constant current of <NUM>. 0C at room temperature of <NUM>, and then evaluated with respect to discharge capacity over <NUM> cycles. Capacity retention at each cycle relative to discharge capacity at the first cycle was calculated, and the results for the cells after <NUM> cycles are shown in Table <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An electrolyte for a rechargeable lithium battery (<NUM>), the electrolyte comprising:
a non-aqueous organic solvent, a lithium salt, and an additive,
wherein the additive comprises a compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM> and a compound represented by Chemical Formula <NUM>:
<CHM>
wherein, in Chemical Formula <NUM>,
X is a fluoro group, a chloro group, a bromo group, or an iodo group,
R<NUM> to R<NUM> are each independently hydrogen, a cyano group, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C1 to C20 alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C20 alkenyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C20 alkynyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C3 to C20 cycloalkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted C6 to C20 aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted C2 to C20 heteroaryl group, and
n is an integer of <NUM> or <NUM>,
<CHM>
and
wherein, in Chemical Formula <NUM>,
A is a C1 to C10 alkylene group or (-C<NUM>H<NUM>-O-C<NUM>H<NUM>-)m, wherein m is an integer of <NUM> to <NUM>.