Lithium Cycling Performance in Improved Lithium Hexafluoroarsenate/2‐Methyl Tetrahydrofuran Electrolytes

Abstract

Lithium hexafluoroarsenate/2‐methyl tetrahydrofuran electrolytes have been prepared, purified, and evaluated using half‐cell galvanostatic lithium cycling, cyclic voltammetry, plus colorimetric, gas chromatographic, and UV absorption techniques. Superior electrolytes have been prepared yielding reproducible cycling efficiencies in excess of 97%. Static aging trials at ambient temperature clearly demonstrate deterioration in cycling performance with time. This decline in performance is related to electrolyte degradation, possibly arising from the formation of peroxides. However, studies of various battery testing regimes on electrolyte support the system's battery potential with respect to both rate capability and shelf‐life characteristics.