Using Triethyl Phosphate to Increase the Solubility of LiNO₃ in Carbonate Electrolytes for Improving the Performance of the Lithium Metal Anode

Authors

Zachary L. Brown
Satu Heiskanen
Brett L. Lucht, University of Rhode IslandFollow

Document Type

Article

Date of Original Version

7-17-2019

Department

Chemistry

Abstract

The investigation of novel electrolytes for lithium metal anodes has been conducted. Incorporation of LiNO₃ into lithium difluoro(oxalato) borate (LiDFOB) in ethylene carbonate (EC) and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) electrolytes results in a significant improvement in capacity retention and Coulombic efficiency. While the solubility of LiNO₃ is very low in common carbonate solvents (~0.03 M), the use of triethyl phosphate (TEP) significantly increases the solubility of LiNO₃ and improves the capacity retention and Coluombic efficiency of lithium metal anodes. Ex-situ surface analysis of the cycled electrodes suggests that incorporation of LiNO₃ results in nitrogen containing species (NO₃⁻, NO₂⁻, and N₃⁻) in the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) which is likely responsible for the performance enhancement.

Citation/Publisher Attribution

Zachary L. Brown et al 2019 J. Electrochem. Soc. 166 A2523. https://doi-org.uri.idm.oclc.org/10.1149/2.0991912jes

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.