Title: Electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy analysis of the surface reactions on graphite basal plane in ethylene carbonate-based solvents and propylene carbonate
Abstract: In order to elucidate the mechanism of surface film formation on graphite negative electrodes of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, topographical changes of the basal plane of a highly oriented pyrolytic graphite were observed in a few electrolyte solutions under polarization by electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy. In 1 M LiClO4/ethylene carbonate (EC) + diethyl carbonate, a hill-like structure of ∼ 1 nm height appeared on the surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite at 0.95 V versus Li/Li+, and then changed at 0.75 V to irregular shaped blister-like features with a maximum height of ∼ 20 nm. In 1 M LiClO4/EC + dimethoxyethane, hemispherical blisters of ∼ 20 nm height appeared at 0.90 V. These morphology changes, hill and blister formation, were attributed to the intercalation of solvated Li− ions into graphite interlayers and to the accumulation of its decomposed products, respectively. On the other hand, only rapid exfoliation and rupturing of graphite layers were observed in 1 M LiClO4/propylene carbonate (PC), which was considered to be responsible for ceaseless solvent decomposition when graphite electrodes are charged in PC-based solutions. From the observed topographical changes, it was concluded that the intercalation of solvated Li+ ions is a necessary step for stable surface film formation on graphite.
Publication Year: 1997
Publication Date: 1997-10-01
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 113
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