Shigetaka Tsubouchi

In Situ Raman Spectroscopic Studies on Concentration of Electrolyte Salt in Lithium-Ion Batteries by Using Ultrafine Multifiber Probes

Lithium-ion batteries have attracted considerable attention due to their high power density. The change in concentration of salt in the electrolyte solution in lithium-ion batteries during operation causes serious degradation of battery performance. Herein, a new method of in situ Raman spectroscopy with ultrafine multifiber probes was developed to simultaneously study the concentrations of ions at several different positions in the electrolyte solution in deep narrow spaces between the electrodes in batteries. The total amount of ions in the electrolyte solution clearly changed during operation due to the low permeability of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) at the anode for Li+ permeation. The permeability, which is a key factor to achieve high battery performance, was improved (enhanced) by adding film-forming additives to the electrolyte solution to modify the properties of the SEI. The results provide important information for understanding and predicting phenomena occurring in a battery and for designing a superior battery. The present method is useful for analysis in deep narrow spaces in other electrochemical devices, such as capacitors.

Effects of pored separator films at the anode and cathode sides on concentration changes of electrolyte salt in lithium ion batteries

The concentration change of ions in the electrolyte solution in deep narrow spaces between electrodes in batteries was studied by in situ multi-probe Raman spectroscopy. When two separator films were placed at the anode and cathode sides, the concentration change became greater, suggesting that the resistance for ion migration at the anode side increased more than that at the cathode side. Thus, there seems to be a concerted effect of the surface film at the anode [solid electrolyte interphase (SEI)] and the adjacent separator film to form an effective diffusion barrier for Li+.