Prop-1-ene-1,3-sultone as SEI formation additive in propylene carbonate-based electrolyte for lithium ion batteries

In this paper, we reported a novel solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation additive, prop-1-ene-1,3-sultone (PES), used in propylene carbonate (PC)-based electrolyte for lithium ion batteries. The effect of PES on the co-intercalation of PC into anode and the battery performance was investigated by energy calculation, cyclic voltammetry and battery charge–discharge test. The theoretical calculations and the voltammograms show that PES can be reduced prior to propane sultone (PS), a practical SEI formation additive for lithium ion batteries. Charge–discharge test shows that the use of PES can suppress successfully the co-intercalation of PC with lithium ions into graphite and the LiCoO2/graphite battery using PES exhibits better performance than that using PS as the SEI formation additive.

► PES was used as an SEI formation additive in PC-based electrolyte for lithium ion battery.
► PES can be reduced prior to the start potential for the interaction between electrolyte and graphite electrode.
► The initial capacity loss of the battery was reduced.
► The cycle stability of the battery was improved.