Changes in the resistance of electrolyte solutions during contact with lithium electrodes at open circuit potential that reflect the Li surface chemistry

Li electrodes were freshly prepared in a variety of alkyl carbonate solutions, including DMC, EC-DMC and EC-DEC mixtures, containing LiAsF₆, LiPF₆ and LiBF₄ as the salts, and H₂O, HF and tributylamine as the contaminants/additives. The solutions' resistance, measured by impedance spectroscopy, changes systematically during contact with the Li electrodes (at open circuit potential), as a function of the solution composition and the salt, additives and solvent ratio. These changes in the solutions' resistance are discussed in light of the complicated surface chemistry of the Li electrodes in the solutions, which slightly affect the content of the conducting species in solutions.