The performance of lithium-ion batteries
is strongly dependent
on the nature of the electrolyte, and a better understanding of the
role of the electrolyte in ion transport and the formation of the
solid–electrolyte interface is critical for the performance
improvement of such batteries. New cathode and anode materials demand
new and/or improved electrolytes that are less sensitive to operating
conditions and provide higher conductivity and mobility of ions between
electrodes. A clear understanding of the solvation of electrolytes
in solvents is essential for improving the performance and cycle life
of Li-ion batteries. In this work, the behavior of lithium hexafluorophosphate
(LiPF6) in ethylene carbonate was characterized using classical
molecular dynamics simulations and ab initio density functional theory
(DFT) calculations. The solvation structures of both Li+ and PF6
– in the electrolyte were analyzed
in detail, and the intermolecular and intramolecular potentials were
found to produce all of the essential features of the electrolyte
as observed from ab initio DFT calculations. The thermodynamics and
transport properties obtained using molecular dynamics simulations
were also found to be in good agreement with experimental values.
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