In this research, artificial intelligence, deep learning, and chemometric tools were cou-
pled with operando spectroscopy of battery electrolytes to measure species concentra-
tions and elucidate molecular interactions. FTIR spectra from an electrolyte composed
of LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate (EC) and ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC) were ana-
lyzed with principal component analysis (PCA) and a convolutional neural network
(CNN) to discern solvation behavior and quantify component concentrations during
cell operation. PCA pinpointed band locations of solvation shifting behavior in
the IR spectra and improved understanding of the relationship between spectral peak
changes, lithium concentrations, and solvation behavior. The CNN was trained with
spectral datasets of electrolytes with known lithium and solvent concentrations and
made predictions with high accuracy. Additionally, the CNN interpreted
FTIR spectral datasets from a graphite half-cell with EC/EMC/LiPF6 electrolyte and
determined the lithium concentration in the electrolyte. The CNN also
observed lithium depletion events in the graphite anode during battery cycling. These
depletion events were previously investigated with traditional spectroscopic techniques
but with errors in absolute concentration. This research breaks ground on
using computational tools for in situ and operando spectroscopic analysis
of battery electrolytes to investigate complex molecular-level phenomena important
for improving electrolyte transport and stability.