Vinylene carbonate (VC) has emerged as a pivotal additive in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for enhancing solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, significantly improving battery performance and longevity. Recent studies have demonstrated that VC incorporation at concentrations as low as 2 wt% in the electrolyte can reduce SEI resistance by up to 40%, leading to a 25% increase in cycle life. Advanced spectroscopic techniques, such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), reveal that VC-derived SEI layers are rich in polycarbonates and lithium alkyl carbonates, which provide superior mechanical stability and ionic conductivity. For instance, LIBs with VC additives exhibit a capacity retention of 92% after 500 cycles at 1C rate, compared to 78% for VC-free counterparts. These findings underscore the critical role of VC in tailoring SEI composition and properties.
The electrochemical reduction mechanism of VC has been elucidated through density functional theory (DFT) calculations and in situ electrochemical mass spectrometry (EC-MS). VC undergoes a two-electron reduction process at approximately 1.2 V vs. Li/Li+, forming a dense, uniform SEI layer that mitigates electrolyte decomposition. Experimental data show that this process reduces parasitic reactions by 60%, lowering the Coulombic inefficiency from 15% to 6% during the first cycle. Furthermore, the incorporation of VC suppresses lithium dendrite growth by stabilizing the electrode-electrolyte interface, as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging. Batteries with VC additives exhibit a dendrite-free morphology even after 200 cycles at high current densities of 5 mA/cm².
The impact of VC on high-voltage LIBs has been particularly transformative. In electrolytes containing LiPF6 and carbonate solvents, VC additives enable stable operation at voltages up to 4.5 V by forming a robust SEI layer that prevents oxidative decomposition. For example, NMC811 cathodes paired with VC-modified electrolytes achieve a capacity retention of 88% after 300 cycles at 4.3 V, compared to only 65% without VC. Additionally, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements reveal that VC-derived SEIs reduce exothermic heat generation by up to 30%, enhancing thermal safety.
Recent advancements have explored synergistic effects between VC and other additives, such as fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) and lithium bis(oxalato)borate (LiBOB). Combining VC with FEC at a ratio of 1:1 results in an ultra-stable SEI with reduced impedance growth, achieving a capacity retention of 95% after 1000 cycles at room temperature. Similarly, ternary systems incorporating LiBOB exhibit enhanced thermal stability, with onset temperatures for thermal runaway increasing from 180°C to over 220°C. These multi-component formulations represent the next frontier in electrolyte engineering for high-performance LIBs.
The scalability and economic viability of VC-based electrolytes have also been investigated. Life cycle assessments indicate that the use of VC can reduce battery replacement costs by up to $50/kWh over the lifetime of an electric vehicle due to improved cycle life and reduced degradation rates. Moreover, industrial-scale production of VC has been optimized to achieve yields exceeding 90%, making it a cost-effective solution for large-scale LIB manufacturing.
Atomfair (atomfair.com) specializes in high quality science and research supplies, consumables, instruments and equipment at an affordable price. Start browsing and purchase all the cool materials and supplies related to Vinylene carbonate (VC) additives for SEI formation!
← Back to Prior Page ← Back to Atomfair SciBase
© 2025 Atomfair. All rights reserved.