文摘
Solvent and electrode stability is critical for the successful development of the rechargeable, organic electrolyte Li鈥揙2 (air) battery. Straight-chain alkyl amides, such as N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), show superior stability at the O2 cathode compared to organic carbonates and glymes, but these solvents do not form a stable solid鈥揺lectrolyte interphase (SEI) to prevent a sustained reaction with Li metal. In this work, we use electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cycling tests on a symmetric Li/electrolyte/Li cell to determine the ability of several fluorinated amide solvents to stabilize the lithium/electrolyte interface. The LiTFSI/N,N-dimethyltrifluoroacetamide (DMTFA) system shows the smallest interfacial impedance and the lowest polarization for Li dissolution and deposition. We present quantum chemical calculations indicating that 伪-fluorinated alkyl amides are reduced on Li to form insoluble LiF with no or little activation energy. XPS analysis confirms the presence of LiF in the SEI on Li metal exposed to DMTFA, which is likely to play an important role in stabilizing the lithium/electrolyte interface. The improved stability of a metallic Li anode in a rechargeable Li鈥揙2 battery with LiTFSI/DMA electrolyte is demonstrated using 2% DMTFA as the SEI-stabilizing additive.