Electrochemical intercalation of lithium ion within graphite from propylene carbonate solutions

Electrochemical lithium intercalation within graphite was investigated in propylene carbonate (PC) containing different concentrations, 0.82 and 2.72 mol dm(-3), of bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide, LiN(SO2C2F5)(2). Lithium ion was reversibly intercalated into and deintercalated from graphite in the latter concentrated solution in spite of the use of pure PC as a solvent, whereas ceaseless solvent decomposition and intensive exfoliation of graphene layers occurred in the former solution. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that a stage I graphite intercalation compound was formed after being fully charged in the 2.72 mol dm(-3) solution. The results of Raman analysis indicated that no free PC molecules are present in the concentrated solution, which suggested that the ion/solvent interactions would be an important factor that determines the ability of stable surface film formation in PC-based solutions. (C) 2002 The Electrochemical Society.