Abnormal electrode behavior of graphite anode operating with the electrolyte containing vinylene carbonate and ethylene sulfite additives

Supplementing additives into the electrolyte is a simple and effective approach to improve the electrode performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Although vinylene carbonate (VC) and ethylene sulfite (ES) additives have been studied to improve the performance of LIBs with graphite anode, the abnormal electrode behavior of graphite anodes operating with the electrolyte containing VC and ES additives has never been reported. In this paper, we report on the discovery and interpretation of the room-temperature capacity anomaly of graphite anodes operating with the VC-ES electrolyte at relatively high C rates (≥ 0.5 C). A dynamic evolution mechanism of SEI is proposed on the basis of electrochemical analysis and surface examination of graphite anodes at different charge/discharge states. The merit of the VC-ES electrolyte over the VC electrolyte is found for graphite anodes operating at 55 ºC. The VC-ES electrolyte provided here holds great potential for application in LIBs with graphite anode operating at high temperatures.