Li [Ni 0.42 Mn 0.42 Co 0.16 ]O 2 (NMC442)/graphite pouch cells with an ethylene carbonate-containing or a fluorinated electrolyte were used to prepare charged electrodes for studies using "pouch bags". Sealed pouch bags containing either lithiated graphite or delithiated NMC442 electrodes taken from pouch cells, and also "sister" pouch cells, were subjected to 500 h storage at elevated temperature. The electrodes recovered from the pouch bags and pouch cells after storage were studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy while the gases generated were quantified using gas chromatography. The fluorinated electrolyte suppressed impedance growth of the positive electrode during storage but caused a large initial negative electrode impedance compared to the carbonate electrolyte. The solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formed by the fluorinated electrolyte at the graphite electrode hinders the consumption of CO 2 generated at the delithiated NMC442 electrode, leading to more CO 2 in pouch cells with fluorinated electrolyte than in cells with carbonate electrolyte. Hydrogen gas was only observed in pouch cells after storage and not in pouch bags which contained either a single negative electrode plus electrolyte or a single positive electrode plus electrolyte, suggesting the H 2 results from a species created at one electrode which reacts at the other in a pouch cell. , one of the layered NMC series, has attracted attention due to its high working potential, high specific capacity and excellent safety.
11-14This material can be operated to up to 4.7 V without any substantial structural change.11,12 Its discharge specific capacity increases almost linearly with the upper cutoff potential from 4.1 V to 4.7 V. At 4.7 V, a reversible specific capacity of ∼207 mAh/g can be obtained from this material. In addition. NMC442 shows higher onset temperatures for exothermic reactions with electrolyte compared to other NMC materials such as LiNi 0. 16-27 A similar approach was employed to improve NMC442/graphite cell performance at high voltage as well.28-39 For example, pyridine boron trifluoride (PBF), [28][29][30] triallyl phosphate (TAP), 31 and a blend of additives containing prop-1-ene-1,3-sultone (PES), 1,3,2-dioxathiolane-2,2-dioxide (DTD) + tris-(trimethyl-silyl) phosphite (TTSPi) [32][33][34][35][36] have been used to improve high voltage performance of NMC442/graphite cells to some extent. Sulfone-based electrolytes can improve high voltage performance of NMC442/graphite cells as well. 38 Compared to the options of additives in conventional EC-based electrolyte and sulfone-based electrolyte, fluorinated electrolytes may be the best option for improving NMC442/graphite cell cycle life when cells are operated to 4.5 V and above.39 This is because the cell impedance can be controlled when fluorinated electrolytes are used while it increases dramatically with carbonate solvents operated above 4.5 V.Recently, a pouch cell and pouch bag method has been put forward to study the inte...