Improvement in High-voltage Performance of Lithium-ion Batteries Using Bismaleimide as an Electrolyte Additive

N,N'-4,4'-diphenylmethane-bismaleimide (BMI) is attempted to enhance the high-voltage performance for lithium-ion batteries. When 0.1% (m/v) BMI is added into the control electrolyte, the high-voltage cycling performance of LiCoO2/Li cells is improved evidently while charging the cell up to 4.5V rather than the conventional 4.2V. Analysis of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) demonstrate that an interface film forms on the cathode surface from BMI in electrolyte. AC impedance spectra and charge/discharge test were tested after incubation of the charged cell at 60 degrees C. Linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) is used to test the electrochemical stability window of the electrolyte with BMI addition. The results demonstrate that the improvement of high-voltage performance is attributed to the surface film on cathode. In addition, the BMI addition does not cause damage in conventional performance with 4.2 V electrochemical window. The BMI-containing electrolyte provides high-voltage cycling performance with 4.5V electrochemical window, making LiCoO2 battery a simple and promising system for applications with high energy density. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.