Improvement on the storage performance of LiMn2O4 with the mixed additives of ethanolamine and heptamethyldisilazane

The commercial LiMn2O4 are added into the LiPF6-based electrolyte without or with the mixed additives of ethanolamine and heptamethyldisilazane to be exposed in air at 60 degrees C for 2-6 h, and the effect of different electrolytes on the storage behavior of LiMn2O4 materials and LiMn2O4/Li cells at elevated temperature is investigated comparatively for the first time by FTIR, SEM, TEM, XRD and charge-discharge measurements. The results show that the electrochemical performances of LiMn2O4 exposed in the LiPF6-based electrolyte become worse gradually with the storage time increasing. However, when the mixture of ethanolamine and heptamethyldisilazane as electrolyte additives is added into the LiPF6-based electrolyte, it can stabilize the original morphology and spinel structure of LiMn2O4 greatly and improve the storage performance of the material and LiMn2O4/Li cells effectively. As the commercial LiMn2O4 is exposed in the LiPF6-based electrolyte with additives for 4 h at 60 degrees C, the initial discharge capacity of 97.7 mA h g(-1) at 0.1 C and the capacity retention of 89.14% at 1 C rate after 150 cycles are much better than that LiMn2O4 exposed in the LiPF6-based electrolyte under the same conditions. Furthermore, the LiMn2O4/Li cells using the LiPF6-based electrolyte with additives exhibit higher initial discharge capacity before storage and higher capacity retention after storage at 60 degrees C for a week compared to the cells without additives in the LiPF6-based electrolyte. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.