Implanting a preferential solid electrolyte interphase layer over anode electrode of lithium ion batteries for highly enhanced Li+ diffusion properties

The lithium-ion batteries are recognized as the most promising energy storage system, but it still does not meet the power requirements of electric vehicle batteries owing to low volumetric energy density with the traditional graphite electrode system. In this study, we report the development of a novel electrode system fabricated by implantation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the graphite surface. The SEI-implanted graphite electrode is made using a lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI)-based electrolyte and cycled with a lithium tetrafluoroborate LiBF4-based electrolyte. This new electrode system shows significantly enhanced electrochemical properties owing to the rapid and efficient diffusion of Li ions through the SEI layer between the electrolyte and electrode. This graphite electrode with its pre-formed SEI layer achieves a reversible capacity of 357 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C after 50 cycles, which is significantly higher than that of commercial lithium-ion battery systems constructed with LiPF6 (312 mAh g−1). The resulting unique electrode system could present a new avenue in SEI research for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.