On eliminating electrochemical impedance signal noise using Li metal in a non-aqueous electrolyte for Li ion secondary batteries

Li metal is accepted as a good counter electrode for electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) as the active material in Li-ion and Li-ion polymer batteries. We examined the existence of signal noise from a Li-metal counter quantitatively as a preliminary study. We suggest an electrochemical cell with one switchable electrode to obtain the exact impedance signal of active materials. To verify the effectiveness of the switchable electrode, EIS measurements of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) before severe $Li^+$ intercalation to SFG6 graphite (at > ca. 0.25 V vs. Li/$Li^+$) were taken. As a result, the EIS spectra without the signal of Li metal were obtained and analyzed successfully for the following parameters i) $Li^+$ conduction in the electrolyte, ii) the geometric resistance and constant phase element of the electrode (insensitive to the voltage), iii) the interfacial behavior of the SEI related to the $Li^+$ transfer and residence throughout the near-surface (sensitive to voltage), and iv) the term reflecting the differential limiting capacitance of $Li^+$ in the graphite lattice.