Electrolytes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Chemical Changes over Time and in the Presence of Impurities

In this study, the impact of typical contaminants—metal carbonates, metal sulfates, and metal acetates with M = Li, Ni, Mn, and Co—on the degradation of the commercial LP30 electrolyte is systematically investigated. Using a combination of electrochemical methods, inductively coupled plasma optical...

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Main Authors: Ulf Breddemann, Krum Banov, Miriam Khodeir, Petr Novák
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley-VCH 2025-06-01
Series:ChemElectroChem
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.202500017
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author Ulf Breddemann
Krum Banov
Miriam Khodeir
Petr Novák
author_facet Ulf Breddemann
Krum Banov
Miriam Khodeir
Petr Novák
author_sort Ulf Breddemann
collection DOAJ
description In this study, the impact of typical contaminants—metal carbonates, metal sulfates, and metal acetates with M = Li, Ni, Mn, and Co—on the degradation of the commercial LP30 electrolyte is systematically investigated. Using a combination of electrochemical methods, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and thermodynamic analyses, the solubility of these impurities, their influence on electrolyte decomposition, and their effect on NMC 811‐based positive electrodes are assessed. Our results indicate that the presence of transition metal contaminants accelerates electrolyte aging, leading to the formation of decomposition products such as HF, OPF2(OH), and OPF(OCH3)2). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic cycling reveal that these impurities contribute to increased charge transfer resistance and capacity fading. Notably, nickel‐based contaminants exhibit the strongest impact, likely due to their catalytic activity in side reactions. A detailed thermodynamic analysis further elucidates the reaction pathways responsible for the formation of these degradation products. This study highlights the complex interplay between electrolyte contamination, aging processes, and electrochemical performance, providing valuable insights into the stability of lithium‐ion battery electrolytes and the necessity of impurity control in battery recycling and material purification.
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spelling doaj-art-1a8313ce2f704b8da2bcced733ec10dd2025-08-20T02:23:11ZengWiley-VCHChemElectroChem2196-02162025-06-011212n/an/a10.1002/celc.202500017Electrolytes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Chemical Changes over Time and in the Presence of ImpuritiesUlf Breddemann0Krum Banov1Miriam Khodeir2Petr Novák3Institute of Energy and Process Systems Engineering (InES) Technische Universität Braunschweig 38106 Braunschweig GermanyInstitute of Energy and Process Systems Engineering (InES) Technische Universität Braunschweig 38106 Braunschweig GermanyInstitute of Energy and Process Systems Engineering (InES) Technische Universität Braunschweig 38106 Braunschweig GermanyInstitute of Energy and Process Systems Engineering (InES) Technische Universität Braunschweig 38106 Braunschweig GermanyIn this study, the impact of typical contaminants—metal carbonates, metal sulfates, and metal acetates with M = Li, Ni, Mn, and Co—on the degradation of the commercial LP30 electrolyte is systematically investigated. Using a combination of electrochemical methods, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and thermodynamic analyses, the solubility of these impurities, their influence on electrolyte decomposition, and their effect on NMC 811‐based positive electrodes are assessed. Our results indicate that the presence of transition metal contaminants accelerates electrolyte aging, leading to the formation of decomposition products such as HF, OPF2(OH), and OPF(OCH3)2). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic cycling reveal that these impurities contribute to increased charge transfer resistance and capacity fading. Notably, nickel‐based contaminants exhibit the strongest impact, likely due to their catalytic activity in side reactions. A detailed thermodynamic analysis further elucidates the reaction pathways responsible for the formation of these degradation products. This study highlights the complex interplay between electrolyte contamination, aging processes, and electrochemical performance, providing valuable insights into the stability of lithium‐ion battery electrolytes and the necessity of impurity control in battery recycling and material purification.https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.202500017electrochemical degradationselectrolyte contaminationslithium‐ion batteriesnuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopytransition metals
spellingShingle Ulf Breddemann
Krum Banov
Miriam Khodeir
Petr Novák
Electrolytes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Chemical Changes over Time and in the Presence of Impurities
ChemElectroChem
electrochemical degradations
electrolyte contaminations
lithium‐ion batteries
nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
transition metals
title Electrolytes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Chemical Changes over Time and in the Presence of Impurities
title_full Electrolytes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Chemical Changes over Time and in the Presence of Impurities
title_fullStr Electrolytes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Chemical Changes over Time and in the Presence of Impurities
title_full_unstemmed Electrolytes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Chemical Changes over Time and in the Presence of Impurities
title_short Electrolytes for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Chemical Changes over Time and in the Presence of Impurities
title_sort electrolytes for lithium ion batteries chemical changes over time and in the presence of impurities
topic electrochemical degradations
electrolyte contaminations
lithium‐ion batteries
nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
transition metals
url https://doi.org/10.1002/celc.202500017
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AT krumbanov electrolytesforlithiumionbatterieschemicalchangesovertimeandinthepresenceofimpurities
AT miriamkhodeir electrolytesforlithiumionbatterieschemicalchangesovertimeandinthepresenceofimpurities
AT petrnovak electrolytesforlithiumionbatterieschemicalchangesovertimeandinthepresenceofimpurities