Interfacial Reactions of Lithium-ion Batteries

Lithium-ion transfer through interfaces between electrodes of lithium-ion batteries and electrolyte is investigated. The interfacial lithium-ion transfer is a slow process in reactions of lithium-ion batteries. De-solvation reactions require high activation energy. The activation energy of interfacial lithium-ion transfer depends on the electrolyte solvents. Intercalation of solvated lithium-ion into graphite gives a lower activation energy than that of de-solvated lithium-ion. Surface modification by oxide on LiCoO2 decreases the activation energy. Ion-pairing at high salt concentration enhances the activation energy.