Electrochemical reactivity of pyrolytic carbon film electrodes in organic carbonate electrolytes

The electrochemical reactivity of polyimide-derived pyrolytic carbon film electrodes in a standard organic carbonate lithium-ion battery electrolyte was studied and quantified. An oxidative heat treatment at 900 °C under CO2 atmosphere was found to lower the reactivity of disordered carbons towards electrolyte oxidation. Cyclic voltammetry and potentiostatic measurements of the carbon film electrodes demonstrate the beneficial effect of the CO2 heat treatment in the potential range between 4.2 and 4.8 V vs. Li/Li+ i.e., at potentials where high-energy Li-ion positive composite electrodes operate.