Nitrile additive for non-aqueous electrolyte rechargeable electrochemical cells

摘要

An electrochemical system is provided by the present invention which includes a positive electrode; a negative electrode; an electrolyte containing a lithium salt dissolved in a non-aqueous solvent; and a nitrile component in the electrolyte. A preferred nitrile component is an aromatic nitrile. Also described is a process for inhibiting electrolyte decomposition wherein an initial cycle is performed on an inventive electrochemical system such that a solid-electrolyte interphase forms on the anode, inhibiting electrolyte decomposition.