Preparation and characterization of anodes by electrodeposition for lithium ion batteries from ionic liquids

Abstract

Lithium ion batteries have attracted considerable attention because of the high energy density, long cycle life, reasonable production cost and the ease of manufacturing. As the capacity of the current Li ion batteries is limited by the low theoretical capacity of the conventional graphite anode, the aim of the present thesis is the synthesis and characterization of high capacity anodes for lithium ion batteries as a possible replacement to the conventional graphite anode by electrodeposition from ionic liquids. Ionic liquids have received significant attention as promising alternatives to conventional electrolytes in different electrochemical processes due to their unique physicochemical properties.  The water absorption tendency of the ionic liquid electrolyte [Py1,4]TfO / 0.1 M SnCl2 under ambient atmosphere and its influence on the hydrolysis of Sn(II) species and on the electrodeposition of tin was studied. It was shown that the employed ionic liquid electrolyte strongly absorbs water under ambient conditions. The presence of water as well as the hydrolysis product affects the electrochemical behavior of the employed electrolyte and the morphology of tin electrodeposits.  The electrodeposition of Sn, In and Sn-In alloys were investigated from two different ionic liquids 1-butyl-1-