The effect of succinic anhydride (SA) as an electrolyte additive on the cycling performance of Li electrode is discussed. As the SA content in the electrolyte increased from 2 to 5 to 10 wt%, the capacity retention of LiCoO2/Li cell is greatly improved owing to the modification of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer and the suppression of dendrite growth on the Li electrode. In particular, when 10 wt% SA is introduced into the electrolyte, the Li electrode thickness increases only about 45 mu m (from 100 to 145 mu m) after 40 cycles, whereas an increase of about 210 mu m occurs without SA. This amazing enhancement in cycling performance is also augmented by a much smaller increase in the bulk resistance of the LiCoO2/Li cell after cycling with 10 wt% SA. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.