학술논문

QC and MD Modelling for Predicting the Electrochemical Stability Window of Electrolytes: New Estimating Algorithm
Document Type
article
Source
Batteries, Vol 8, Iss 12, p 292 (2022)
Subject
liquid electrolytes
lithium-ion batteries
cationic and anionic complexes
molecular dynamics
quantum chemical calculations
redox stability of complexes
Production of electric energy or power. Powerplants. Central stations
TK1001-1841
Industrial electrochemistry
TP250-261
Language
English
ISSN
2313-0105
Abstract
The electrolyte is an important component of lithium-ion batteries, especially when it comes to cycling high-voltage cathode materials. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for estimating both the oxidising and reducing potential of electrolytes using molecular dynamics and quantum chemistry techniques. This algorithm can help to determine the composition and structure of the solvate complexes formed when a salt is dissolved in a mixture of solvents. To develop and confirm the efficiency of the algorithm, LiBF4 solutions in binary mixtures of ethylene carbonate (EC)/dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and sulfolane (SL)/dimethyl carbonate (DMC) were studied. The structure and composition of the complexes formed in these systems were determined according to molecular dynamics. Quantum chemical estimation of the thermodynamic and oxidative stability of solvate complexes made it possible to establish which complexes make the most significant contribution to the electrochemical stability of the electrolyte system. This method can also be used to determine the additive value of the oxidation and reduction potentials of the electrolyte, along with the contribution of each complex to the overall stability of the electrolyte. Theoretical calculations were confirmed experimentally in the course of studying electrolytes by step-by-step polarisation using inert electrodes. Thus, the main aim of the study is to demonstrate the possibility of using the developed algorithm to select the optimal composition and solvent ratio to achieve predicted redox stability.