Surface complex formation between aliphatic nitrile molecules and transition metal atoms for thermally stable lithium-ion batteries.

Non-flammability of electrolyte and tolerance of cells against thermal abuse should be guaranteed for widespread applications of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). As a strategy to improve thermal stability of LIBs, here, we report on nitrile-based molecular coverage on surface of cathode active materials to block or suppress thermally accelerated side reactions between electrode and electrolyte. Two different series of aliphatic nitriles were introduced as an additive into a carbonate-based electrolyte: di-nitriles (CN-[CH2]n-CN with n = 2, 5, and 10) and mono-nitriles (CH3-[CH2]m-CN with m = 2, 5, and 10). On the basis of the strong interaction between the electronegativity of nitrile functional groups and the electropositivity of cobalt in LiCoO2 cathode, aliphatic mono- and di-nitrile molecules improved the thermal stability of lithium ion cells by efficiently protecting the surface of LiCoO2. Three factors, the surface coverage θ, the steric hindrance of aliphatic moiety within nitrile molecule, and the chain polarity, mainly affect thermal tolerance as well as cell performances at elevated temperature.