title: Atomic force microscopy study on the stability of a surface film formed on a graphite negative electrode at elevated temperatures.
abstract: The stability at elevated temperatures of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formed on a graphite negative electrode in lithium ion batteries was investigated by storage tests and in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) observation. When the fully discharged graphite electrode was stored at elevated temperatures, the irreversible capacity in the following cycle increased remarkably. On the other hand, when the electrode was stored at the fully charged state at elevated temperatures, it was severely self-discharged during storage. AFM observation of the SEI layer formed on a model electrode of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite revealed two important facts on the stability of the SEI at elevated temperatures: (i) dissolution and agglomeration of the SEI layer at the discharged state and (ii) serious SEI growth at the charged state. These phenomena well explain the results of the charge and discharge tests. It was also shown that the addition of vinylene carbonate greatly improves the stability of the SEI at elevated temperatures, and gives good charge and discharge performance after storage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Kyoto 610-0321, Japan. minaba@mail.doshisha.ac.jp
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Inaba
authors.forename: Hanako
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tomiyasu
authors.forename: Akimasa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tasaka
authors.forename: Soon-Ki
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.forename: Zempachi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ogumi