In Situ Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technique for the Characterization of Interface Between Lithium Electrode and Electrolytes Containing Additives

The optimization of the lithium (Li) electrode/organic electrolyte interface in rechargeable lithium has been considered to be very important because the charge/discharge behavior of the Li electrode is much affected by the structure of the Li electrode/electrolyte interface. New inorganic additives, tin (II) iodide (SnI[sub 2]) and aluminum iodide (AlI[sub 3]), improved the charge-discharge cycling efficiency of lithium (Li) electrodes in propylene carbonate electrolyte containing lithium perchlorate as the electrolytic salt. The synergistic effect of AlI[sub 3] with 2-methylfuran on the cycling efficiency is also reported. The electrochemical behavior of the Li electrode/organic electrolyte interface was investigated by an in situ scanning vibrating electrode technique. The relationship between the Li rechargeability and the interfacial behavior of the Li electrode in the organic electrolyte in the absence and the presence of the additives is discussed.