The state of understanding of the lithium-ion-battery graphite solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and its relationship to formation cycling
Open accessAbstract
An in-depth historical and current review is presented on the science of lithium-ion battery (LIB) solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation on the graphite anode, including structure, morphology, composition, electrochemistry, and formation mechanism. During initial LIB operation, the SEI layer forms on the graphite surfaces, the most common anode material. The SEI is essential to the long-term performance of LIBs, and it also has an impact on its initial capacity loss, self-discharge characteristics, rate capability, and safety. While the presence of the anode SEI is vital, it is difficult to control its formation and growth, as they depend on several factors. These factors include the type of graphite, electrolyte composition, electrochemical conditions, and temperature. Thus, SEI formation and electrochemical stability over long-term operation should be a primary topic of future investigation in the LIB development. This article covers the progression of knowledge regarding the SEI, from its discovery in 1979 to the current state of understanding, and covers differences in the chemical and structural makeup when cell materials and components are varied. It also discusses the relationship of the SEI layer to the LIB formation step, involving both electrolyte wetting and subsequent slow charge–discharge cycles to grow the SEI.
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This indicates a slight effect of the alloying elements and lower potential reduction compared to graphite.
“This indicates a slight effect of the alloying elements and lower potential reduction compared to graphite [29].”
From Solid-State Diffusion Bonding of Aluminum to Copper for Bimetallic Anode Fabrication (2024) · cites this paper as [29]
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- Authors
- An, S. J., Li, J., Daniel, C., Mohanty, D., Nagpure, S., & Wood, D. L.
- Affiliations
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (US)
- Corresponding author
- Wood, David L.
- Venue
- Carbon
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2016-08
- Volume
- 105
- Pages
- 52-76
- ISSN
- 0008-6223 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2312874713
- Cited by
- 2,121
- References
- 3
- Citations by year
- 2026: 197 · 2025: 289 · 2024: 268 · 2023: 257 · 2022: 249 · 2021: 250 · 2020: 220 · 2019: 175 · 2018: 114 · 2017: 88 · 2016: 12
- FWCI
- 59.73
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Carbon (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Battelle
- U.S. Department of Energy (DE-AC05-00OR22725)
- Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- Vehicle Technologies Office
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Advancements in Battery Materials
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Automotive Engineering › Advanced Battery Technologies Research
- Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Advanced Battery Materials and Technologies
- Keywords
- solid electrolyte interphase, lithium-ion batteries, graphite anode, SEI formation mechanism, electrolyte wetting, self-discharge, rate capability, battery safety, electrolyte composition
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