Effect of vinylene carbonate as electrolyte additive for Mn₂O₃/NiMnO₃ anodes of lithium-ion batteries

This study reports for the first time the production and characterization of Mn₂O₃/NiMnO₃ (MO/NMO) powders by the hydrothermal method and the enhanced performance of this electrode upon the addition of 15 vol% vinylene carbonate (VC) into the electrolyte. Cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests show that the lithiation mechanism of MO/NMO changes upon the presence of VC in the electrolyte. The galvanostatic tests’ results reveal that when half-cells have been tested with 15 vol% VC-containing electrolyte the anode delivers higher discharge capacity (793 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹, 535 mAh g⁻¹ at 400 mA g⁻¹) and capacity retention, in comparison to that of the standard electrolyte. Finally, XRD and post-SEM analyses’ outcomes substantiate that the addition of VC into the standard electrolyte promotes the formation of a stable electrode/electrolyte interface. The improved solid electrolyte interface (SEI) properties caused by VC addition prevent any peel off and/or delamination, resulting in high electrochemical performance over cycles.