Thermal storage of prismatic Li-ion cell with different types of anodes has been performed at 60 degrees C for 15 days to 30 days. The results were compared for two anodes: natural-like graphite (NLG) with styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR, 2.5 wt.%) binder and artificial graphite (AG) with polyvinylidene, fluoride (PVdF, 6 wt.%) as binder. The storage-capacity fading behavior of the commercial Li-ion cell was studied by dissection the storage cells and analyzing their electrodes and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), allows lithium-ion transfer but prevents electron migration using SEM, DSC, FT-IR, XRD and impedance analysis. Side-reaction and transformation of the passivation film on NLG anode contributed the capacity loss. Self-discharge of NLG cell due to high specific surface area was one of the main factors for capacity fading. Impedance analysis revealed that the interfacial resistance at NLG anode was larger than that of the AG anode. The increase of lithium alkylcarbonate and lithium carbonate due to reductive decomposition of electrolyte with storage time decreased the charge and increased the interfacial resistance. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.