Ethylene sulfate (DTD), propylene sulfite (1,2-PS) and trimethylene sulfate (1,3-PCS) were investigated as electrolyte additives in lithium ion battery. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation shows that DTD, 1,2-PS and 1,3-PCS possess relatively low lowest unoccupied molecule orbital (LUMO) energies, which is easier to be reduced on the graphite anode. The CV curves, cycling performance and AC impedance of Li/graphite half cells reveal that DTD and 1,3-PCS were preferentially reduced to form stable SEI films. The initial efficiency, cycling performance and high temperature storage properties were greatly improved in the electrochemical tests by adding 1% DTD to LiCoO2/graphite battery. The SEM images show that the graphite electrode surface with SEI film formed by adding 1% DTD became smoother and more homogeneous. IR analysis results show that the SEI film included both inorganic components (Li2SO3 and Li2CO3) and organic components (ROCO2Li and ROSO2Li). (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.