In this study Li + acts only as a coordinating species; it is not chemically changed by any of the reactions. The proportion of Li + in the unit cell that has acted as a coordinating species in at least one reaction as a function of reactive cycle is shown in Figure ). As higher reactive cycles are reached and the condensation of separate inorganic and organic layers becomes more extensive, Li + ions become strongly bound within these layers. In the organic layer in particular, multi-coordination state lithium forms important bridges between organic components and thus is coordinated in place, available for participation in S-8 dimerization reactions. Large organic aggregates, such as the one shown in Fig. ), form as part of a near-shore aggregation mechanism of SEI growth. S-9