Hydroxyl terminated Poly(dimethylsiloxane) as an electrolyte additive to enhance the cycle performance of lithium-ion batteries

Hydroxyl terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS-HT) is used as an electrolyte additive in electrolyte systems containing 1 M LiPF₆ in EC:DMC (ratios 1:9; 3:7; 4:6 and 1:1 v/v) to enhance the cycle performance of lithium-ion batteries. Adding a small amount of PDMS-HT to the standard LIB electrolyte leads to improved specific capacity as well as improved capacity retention over prolonged cycles. There is also a slight increase in Li⁺ ion conductivity when PDMS-HT is added. Also, the PDMS-HT additive allows the formation of a more stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer that enables the LIB cells to be cycled for longer cycles with minimal capacity fading. This combination of improved ionic conductivity and stable SEI layer formation due to the PDMS-HT additive, makes it an excellent candidate for an electrolyte additive for lithium ion batteries.