Application of microelectrodes to the study of the Li/Li+ couple in dimethyl sulphoxide

Abstract

Linear potential-sweep and potential-step experiments at nickel microelectrodes have been used to investigate the deposition and dissolution of lithium in dimethyl sulphoxide containing several electrolytes. In hexafluoroarsenate solutions, it is shown that both cathodic and anodic reactions can occur with a high current efficiency and the kinetics of the couple are rapid. In contrast, with lithium chloride as the electrolyte, the results are complex and the current efficiency for lithium dissolution is poor. Small additions of the hexafluoroarsenate to the chloride solution, however, lead to strong recovery in the performance of the lithium electrode cycling behaviour. The influence of other parameters such as temperature and added water are also discussed.