Specular Lithium Deposits from Lithium Hexafluoroarsenate/Diethyl Ether Electrolytes

A new class of aprotic organic electrolytes in which to cycle the lithium electrode has been developed. Blends of diethyl ether (DEE) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) incorporating have been found to afford Li electrode cycling efficiencies in excess of 98%. In addition, specular deposits of up to 10 C/cm² may be plated from these systems. The kinetic stability of these blended electrolytes toward Li is thought to be due to the formation of a protective lithium ethoxide film.