Electrochemical reduction of graphite in LiClO4-propylene carbonate electrolyte: Influence of the nature of the surface protective layer Original Research Article

Reversible electrochemical intercalation of unsolvated lithium into graphite previously treated either in LiClO4-ethylene carbonate (EC) or in LiClO4-dimethyl carbonate (DMC) solutions was carried out in a LiClO4-propylene carbonate (PC) electrolyte. Under these conditions, graphite exfoliation did not occur, allowing the graphite anode to cycle reversibly. The modifications of the structure and the morphology of the graphite during its reduction in PC-LiClO4 electrolyte was studied by transmission electron microscopy (electron diffraction, imaging) and X-ray diffraction studies.