Effect of mixed LiBOB and LiPF6 salts on electrochemical and thermal properties in LiMn2O4 batteries

The effects of mixed LiBOB and LiPF6 salts as electrolyte for lithium ion batteries are investigated by electrochemical testing and thermal stability analysis. Elevated temperature cycle, specific power, DCIR and EIS tests reveal that mixed salts electrolyte has a distinct effect on cycle life and effectively stabilize impedance increase, as optimum concentration of LiBOB is between 0.1 and 0.25 M. Fading mechanism analyses demonstrate that the mixed salts system could decrease Mn dissolution and LiBOB decomposition at elevated temperature application. Accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC) shows that the thermal stability of mixed salts electrolyte is also acceptable. In short, the mixed salts of LiBOB and LiPF6 provide a possible solution to improve the instability of LiMn2O4 as cathode in lithium ion batteries at elevated temperature conditions and show a promising capability in high current discharge for high power application such as hybrid electrical vehicles. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.