Hexafluorophosphate anion intercalation into graphite electrode from sulfolane/ethylmethyl carbonate solutions

The electrochemical behaviour of graphite positive electrode has been tested in the electrolyte solutions of 1 mol dm−3 LiPF6 dissolved in mixed solvents of sulfolane (SL) and ethylmethyl carbonate (EMC). The suppression of PF6− anion intercalation into graphite by SL has been demonstrated. Moreover, the favourable effect of EMC on PF6− insertion into graphite in SL-based solutions has been verified by ex situ XRD, ex situ Raman, and electrochemical tests. Furthermore, improved long-term cycling performance of graphite positive electrode has been obtained in solutions with suitable ratios of SL and EMC.