Electrolytes comprising alkyl alkanoates, ketones, and/or nitriles as primary organic solvents for batteries that cycle lithium ions

A battery that cycles lithium ions, the battery comprising:

• a negative electrode comprising an electroactive negative electrode material comprising silicon, silicon oxide, lithiated silicon oxide, and/or graphite;
• a positive electrode spaced apart from the negative electrode and comprising an electroactive positive electrode material comprising a layered nickel-rich lithium transition metal oxide represented by the formula LiNi1−xMexO2, wherein 0≤x<0.4, and wherein Me comprises manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), aluminum (Al), or a combination thereof;
• and
• an electrolyte infiltrating the negative electrode and the positive electrode, the electrolyte providing a medium for the conduction of lithium ions between the negative electrode and the positive electrode, the electrolyte comprising:
• greater than or equal to 60 weight percent and less than or equal to 93 weight percent of an organic solvent, the organic solvent comprising greater than or equal to 70 weight percent of a primary solvent comprising at least one of:
• an alkyl alkanoate having the formula R1—COO—R2, wherein R1 is H, a C1-C3 alkyl, or a C1-C3 fluoroalkyl, and wherein R2 is a C1-C4 alkyl or a C1-C4 fluoroalkyl,
• a ketone having the formula R3—C(═O)—R4, wherein R3 and R4 are each individually a C1-C2 alkyl or a C1-C2 fluoroalkyl, or
• a nitrile having the formula R5—C≡N, wherein R5 is a C1-C3 alkyl or a C1-C3 fluoroalkyl, and
• a lithium salt in the organic solvent.