New and Improved Nonaqueous Electrolyte Components - Salts and Solvents

Lithium-ion batteries have been widely used and intensely investigated for the last decade. However, commercial cells have several problems including loss of power and capacity upon storage or prolonged use at elevated temperatures. In order to develop high-energy power sources for Army applications the operating temperature range must be expanded. Lithion has been investigating a class of compounds that show promise in stabilizing the highly conducting LiPF6 solutions upon elevated temperature exposure. We propose to further expand upon our studies of these additives, other previously reported thermal stabilizing additives, and low temperature enhancing co-solvents in cells to develop advanced liquid electrolytes capable of expanding the operating temperature range for Lithium-ion batteries.