Carbon black electrodes were prepared as a model system in which to study the irreversible capacity observed in Li-ion battery negative electrodes during the first cycle in an ethylene carbonate-diethyl carbonate electrolyte. A chemical treatment of electrodes with n-butyl lithium prior to cell construction was found to reduce the charge normally associated with the formation of a solid electrolyte interface. The effects of treatment time on the coulometric insertion profile, irreversible capacity, and electrode morphology were examined.