Electrolyte

Example

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Use in Lemonergy

Connect transport with electronic isolation.

This is a reference concept. No executable Lemonergy block has been verified for this term.

Learn it in Lesson 1B · Cell architecture →

Connected concepts

Related concepts from the knowledge graph. Connections show context, not cause and effect. Hover or focus a linked term for its definition.

Carbonate solvent

The organic liquids that dissolve the lithium salt: cyclic ethylene carbonate, which forms a stable SEI, blended with linear carbonates such as DMC or EMC to lower viscosity. All are flammable, which is a root of lithium-ion fire risk.

Electrolyte additive

A compound added to the electrolyte at a few percent to improve one property — vinylene carbonate and fluoroethylene carbonate build a tougher SEI, others suppress gassing or overcharge. Additive packages are among a cell maker’s closest secrets.

Ionic conductivity

How readily an electrolyte carries ions, in siemens per centimetre. Liquid carbonate electrolytes reach about 10 mS/cm at room temperature; the best sulfide solid electrolytes match that, while polymers fall far short unless heated.

Ionic liquid electrolyte

An electrolyte based on a salt that is liquid at room temperature, with negligible vapour pressure and so no flammability. High viscosity, cost and poor graphite compatibility have confined it to niche cells.

Lithium salt

The dissolved salt that supplies the mobile lithium ions in a liquid electrolyte, almost always lithium hexafluorophosphate, LiPF₆, at about one mole per litre. It reacts with traces of water to form hydrofluoric acid, which is why cells are filled in a dry room.

Solid electrolyte

A solid ion conductor that replaces the liquid electrolyte in an all-solid-state cell. Oxide, sulfide, halide and polymer families each need a different production route.

References & further reading

Technical references

1. Electrolytes and Interphases in Li-Ion Batteries and Beyond

   Kang Xu · Chemical Reviews · 2014

   Technical reference · Electrolyte salts, solvents, additives and electrode interphases.