Lithium Tetrafluoroborate, LiBF4

CAS Number: 14283-07-9

Lithium tetrafluoroborate is an inorganic compound with its chemical formula LiBF₄. Lithium tetrafluoroborate is an odorless, white, crystalline powder; its molecular weight is 93.75, density 0.852g/cm3, melting point 296.5°C (565.7°F; 569.6K). Lithium tetrafluoroborate is hygroscopic and very soluble in water. Lithium tetrafluoroborate has been extensively tested for use in commercial secondary batteries, an application that exploits its high solubility in nonpolar solvents.

As an electrolyte additive in Li-ion batteries, LiBF₄offers some advantages relative to the more common LiPF₆. LiBF₄ exhibits greater thermal stability and moisture tolerance than LiPF₆. For example, LiBF₄can tolerate a moisture content up to 620 ppm at room temperature whereas LiPF₆readily hydrolyzes into toxic POF₃ and HF gases, often destroying the battery's electrode materials. Disadvantages of the electrolyte include a relatively low conductivity and difficulties forming a stable solid electrolyte interface with graphite electrodes.

Poworks manufactures and supplies lithium tetrafluoroborate for a variety of applications.