Triethoxysilane with oligo(ethylene oxide) substituent as film forming additive for graphite anode

{3-[2-(2-methoxyethoxy) ethoxy]-propyl} triethoxysilane (TESM2) was synthesized and used as an electrolyte additive to improve the performances of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The electrochemical properties of the electrolyte (1 mol/L lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF 6 )/ethylene carbonate (EC):diethylene carbonate (DEC):dimethyl carbonate (DMC), 1:1:1) with different contents of TESM2 were characterized by ionic conductivity measurement, galvanostatic charge/discharge test of graphite/Li half cells, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Both the cycling performances and C-rate capabilities of graphite/Li half cells were significantly improved with an optimized content of 15% TESM2 in the electrolyte. The graphite/Li half cell delivered a very high specific capacity of 370 mAh/g at 0.2C rate without any capacity loss for 60 cycles, and retained a capacity of 292 mAh/g at 2C rate. The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film on the surface of the graphite anode was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), indicating that TESM2 was effectively involved in the formation of SEI film on the surface of graphite.