Compatibility of quaternary ammonium-based ionic liquid electrolytes with electrodes in lithium ion batteries

Electrochemical intercalation/deintercalation behavior of lithium into/from electrodes of lithium ion batteries was comparatively investigated in 1 mol/L LiClO4 ethylene carbonate–diethyl carbonate (EC-DEC) electrolyte and a quaternary ammonium-based ionic liquid electrolyte. The natural graphite anode exhibited satisfactory electrochemical performance in the ionic liquid electrolyte containing 20 vol.% chloroethylenene carbonate (Cl-EC). This is attributed to the mild reduction of solvated Cl-EC molecules at the graphite/ionic electrolyte interface resulting in the formation of a thin and homogenous SEI on the graphite surface. However, rate capability of the graphite anode is poor due to the higher interfacial resistance than that obtained in 1 mol/L LiClO4/EC-DEC organic electrolyte. Spinel LiMn2O4 cathode was also electrochemically cycled in the ionic electrolyte showing satisfactory capacity and reversibility. The ionic electrolyte system is thus promising for 4 V lithium ion batteries based on the concept of “greenness and safety”.