Silyl-Functionalized Electrolyte Additives and Their Reactivity toward Lewis Bases in Li-Ion Cells

Silyl groups are included in a wide range of electrolyte additives to enhance the performance of state-of-the-art Li-ion batteries. A recognized representative thereof is tris-(trimethylsilyl)phosphate (TMSPa) which, along with the similarly structured phosphite, has been at the center of numerous electrolyte studies. Even though the silyl group has already been widely reported to be specifically reactive towards fluorides, herein, a reactivity towards several Lewis bases typically found in Li-ion cells is postulated and investigated with the aim to establish a more simplified and generally applicable reaction mechanism thereof. Both gaseous and electrolyte soluble reactants and products are monitored by combining nuclear magnetic resonance and injection cell-coupled mass spectrometry. Experimental observations are supported by computational models. The results clearly demonstrate that the silyl groups react with water, hydroxide, and methoxide and thereby detach in a stepwise fashion from the central phosphate in TMSPa. Intermolecular interaction between TMSPa and the reactants likely facilitates dissolution and lowers the free energy of reaction. Lewis bases are well known to trigger side reactions involving both the Li-ion electrode and electrolyte. By effectively scavenging these, the silyl group can be explained to lower cell impedance and prolong the lifetime of modern Li-ion batteries.