This report focuses on the relatively new salt, lithium 4,5-dicyano-2-(trifluoromethyl)imidazolide (LiTDI), and its functionality together with a silicon based composite electrode in a half-cell lithium ion battery context. LiTDI is a promising alternative to the commonly used LiPF6 salt because it does not form HF which can decompose the oxide layer on Si. The formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) as well as the development of the active Si-particles are investigated during the first electrochemical lithiation and de-lithiation. Characterizations are carried out at different state of charge with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as hard x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HAXPES) at two different photon energies. This enables a depth resolved picture of the reaction processes and gives an idea of the chemical buildup of the SEI. The SEI is formed by solvent and LiTDI decomposition products and its composition is similar to SEI formed by other carbonate based electrolytes. The LiTDI salt or its decomposition products are not in itself reactive towards the active Si-material and no unwanted side reactions occurs with the active Si-particles. Despite some decomposition of the LiTDI salt, it is a promising alternative for electrolytes aimed towards Si-based electrodes. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.