A New Cell Configuration for a More Precise Electrochemical Evaluation of an Artificial Solid-Electrolyte Interphase

The study of an artificial solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) can lead to a misinterpretation of the electrochemical results obtained with the classical cell configuration due to so-called edge effect. A technical solution is presented here that minimizes the edge effect by using a new cell configuration with a polypropylene disc. A new cell configuration allows a simple electrochemical evaluation of an artificial SEI with a more precisely defined effective area and homogeneously distributed current density. The application of such a technical solution manifests itself through better defined deposition and stripping curves in relation to surface electrochemistry and can differ significantly from the results obtained with the classical cell configuration. Finally, a model system - a lithium electrode protected with trimethylolpropane ethoxylate triacrylate polymer-was used to evaluate and compare the new cell configuration with the classical two electrode cell configuration.