Lesson1 2 5 Handout

1.2.
5: Electrolytes and separators for lithium-ion cells
Electrolytes for lithium-ion cells
key on: initialize

meas. voltage estimate estimate balance compute
current state of state of power
We have now seen the most common materials used for temperature charge (SOC) health (SOH) cells limits
loop once each measurement interval while pack is active
negative and positive electrodes in lithium-ion cells

We turn our focus to the principal remaining components, starting with electrolyte
The electrolyte comprises a salt, acid, or base dissolved in a solvent and is the
media that conducts ions between electrodes
Cells using aqueous (solvent = water) electrolytes are limited to less than 2 V as
water dissociate into oxygen and hydrogen in the presence of higher voltages
Since their overall voltages are above 2 V, lithium-ion cells use electrolytes
comprising non-aqueous organic solvents plus a lithium salt
Electrolyte acts purely as ion conductor, not taking part in the chemical reaction
Dr. Gregory L. Plett University of Colorado Colorado Springs Introduction to Battery Management Systems | How Lithium-ion Cells Work 1 of 7
1.2.5: Electrolytes and separators for lithium-ion cells
Electrolyte solvents used in lithium-ion cells
key on: initialize

Solvents include ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, temperature charge (SOC) health (SOH) cells limits
dimethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate

EC PC DMC EMC DEC
O O O O O
C C C C C
O O O O O O O O O O
H2 C CH2 H2 C CH CH3 CH3 CH2 CH3 CH2 CH2
CH3 H3 C
CH3 CH3
A common feature to these solvents is the double-bonded oxygen, which develops

a slight negative charge, polarizing the molecule so that it dissolves salts
Electrolyte salts used in lithium-ion cells

key on: initialize

The most commonly used salt in lithium-ion cells is LiPF6 temperature charge (SOC) health (SOH) cells limits
(Lithium hexafluorophosphate, which is quite difficult to say!)

Some other candidates include LiBF4 (lithium
tetrafluoroborate) and LiClO4 (lithium perchlorate)
Note: the solvent does not participate in the (normal)
chemical processes of a lithium-ion cell
But, different solvents have different properties
re. aging, low-temperature performance, etc.
So, we often refer to the electrolyte by naming only its
salt, even though the electrolyte also includes solvent
Separators for lithium-ion cells
key on: initialize

The separator is a permeable membrane with holes large temperature charge (SOC) health (SOH) cells limits
enough to let Li pass through unimpeded, but small enough

that the negative- and positive-electrode particles do not touch (which would
short-circuit the cell); it is also an electronic insulator
Looks like thin white plastic, but under magnification it is possible to see the pores
Figure on right shows relative scale of one LMO particle on top of separator
Current collectors
key on: initialize

The inside of a lithium-ion cell is a very harsh environment, temperature charge (SOC) health (SOH) cells limits
with Li and F being particularly reactive elements

Need current collectors that will withstand that
environment, such that they will not react with the
electrolyte
Positive electrode (high potential region) uses
aluminum foil, which does not react with electrolyte
so long as cell voltage is above around 2 V
Negative electrode (low potential region) uses
copper foil which does not react with electrolyte
under similar conditions
Summary
key on: initialize

Lithium-ion electrolyte solvent is usually a combination of EC, temperature charge (SOC) health (SOH) cells limits
PC, DMC, EMC, and/or DMC

Electrolyte salt is usually LiPF but is sometimes LiBF or LiClO
PF anion is inert toward strong reducing agents, such as lithium metal
Separator is a nonconductive porous membrane that prevents short circuits
Current collectors are copper and aluminum foils
Credits
key on: initialize

Credit for images in this lesson:

temperature charge (SOC) health (SOH) cells limits
Image of salt on slide 3: By APPER at the German language

Wikipedia [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via
Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Speisesalz.jpg
Separator SEM images on slide 4: Image courtesy Sangwoo Han
Aluminum foil on slide 5: By Emilian Robert Vicol, public domain,
https://www.flickr.com/photos/free-stock/4999892549

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1.2.

5: Electrolytes and separators for lithium-ion cells

Electrolytes for lithium-ion cells

key on: initialize

loop once each measurement interval while pack is active

negative and positive electrodes in lithium-ion cells

1.2.5: Electrolytes and separators for lithium-ion cells

Electrolyte solvents used in lithium-ion cells

key on: initialize

loop once each measurement interval while pack is active

dimethyl carbonate, ethyl methyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate

A common feature to these solvents is the double-bonded oxygen, which develops

1.2.5: Electrolytes and separators for lithium-ion cells

Electrolyte salts used in lithium-ion cells

meas. voltage estimate estimate balance compute

loop once each measurement interval while pack is active

(Lithium hexafluorophosphate, which is quite difficult to say!)

Separators for lithium-ion cells

key on: initialize

loop once each measurement interval while pack is active

enough to let Li pass through unimpeded, but small enough

1.2.5: Electrolytes and separators for lithium-ion cells

key on: initialize

loop once each measurement interval while pack is active

with Li and F being particularly reactive elements

1.2.5: Electrolytes and separators for lithium-ion cells

meas. voltage estimate estimate balance compute

loop once each measurement interval while pack is active

PC, DMC, EMC, and/or DMC

key on: initialize

Credit for images in this lesson:

loop once each measurement interval while pack is active

Image of salt on slide 3: By APPER at the German language

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