Thermal decomposition of LiPF6 revisited

The kinetic parameters for the decomposition of LiPF 6 , an important commercial electrolyte, differ significantly between reports by independent workers. This publication considers the work done by the different authors as well as the methodology followed for determining said parameters. Subsequently, a new set of parameters is determined using a grid-refinement of the Sestak-Berggren equation and significantly reduces the uncertainty of kinetic parameters for the decomposition process. Using the said equation the kinetic behaviour of the decomposition is described, and the decomposition temperature evaluated against thermodynamic data. The article highlights the need for critical evaluation of obtained kinetic parameters and suggests using computational methods in combination to standard model fitting.