Reinvestigation on the state-of-the-art nonaqueous carbonate electrolytes for 5Â V Li-ion battery applications

► Stability of carbonate electrolytes is strongly related to cathode materials. ► Carbonate electrolytes are stable up to 5.2 V on LiNi0.45Cr0.05Mn1.5O4 cathode. ► 87% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 1C rate is obtained in half-cells. ► EC-DMC and EC-EMC have better rate capability than EC-DEC. ► First-cycle irreversible capacity loss is partly related to conductive carbons.