Analysis of Carbonate Decomposition During Solid Electrolyte Interphase Formation in Isotope‐Labeled Lithium Ion Battery Electrolytes: Extending the Knowledge about Electrolyte Soluble Species

Sufficient interphase formation during the first cycles is crucial for the long‐term performance of lithium ion batteries. During the first cycles, electrolyte salt and solvent molecule decomposition caused by electrochemical instabilities leads to a wide range of decomposition species contributing to the formation of performance‐beneficial interphases at the electrodes as well as performance‐impairing side reactions. Due to structural similarities of carbonate educts, elucidation of underlying reaction pathways is complex. In this work, isotope‐labeled ethylene carbonate (13C3−EC) is applied to differentiate contributions of cyclic and linear carbonates to occurring interphase and decomposition reactions. Thereby, carbon atom tracing of electrolyte soluble species is performed by means of gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC−MS). Reaction pathways are postulated based on identified molecular origins. Among others, a new DMC‐EC cross reactivity via lithium ethylene monocarbonate is considered. Moreover, radical reactions resulting in C−C bond formation are investigated and radical polymerizations of stoichiometric equivalents of ethene formed in situ during EC reduction are proposed. Finally, alkyl carbonates with C>4 alkyl chains are identified considering underlying reactivities. Discussed electrolyte decomposition reactions extend the understanding of EC‐based solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation emphasizing possible radical reactivities and solvent molecule contributions. Black label: 13C3‐labeled EC‐containing electrolyte formulations are investigated to clarify DMC‐EC cross‐reactions, carbonate transesterification, and C−C bond formations regarding cyclic and linear carbonate contribution. All investigated reactions occur during crucial interphase formation at the electrode‐electrolyte interfaces and allowed insights into prevailing conditions during cell formation. C−C bond formations indicate reductive conditions with radical formation and stoichiometric equivalents of ethene can be involved during SEI formation after the in situ formation by EC decomposition.