A comparative investigation of the different lithium salts on formation of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) on binder free graphite anodes for lithium ion batteries has been conducted. The electrolytes investigated include 1 M LiPF6, LiBF4, LiTFSI, LiFSI, LiDFOB or LiBOB dissolved in ethylene carbonate (EC). The SEI has been investigated via a combination of spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) allows direct observation of the SEI formed from the different electrolytes. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy of D2O extracts are utilized to characterize the soluble species of SEI. XPS and FTIR provide additional elemental and functional group information for the SEI components. The SEI for all electrolytes contains lithium ethylene dicarbonate (LEDC), the primary reduction product of EC. In addition, the SEI for all electrolytes contain LiF except for the SEI generated from the LiBOB electrolyte. The SEI generated in the presence of LiBOB or LiDFOB electrolytes contain multiple oxalate containing species, including lithium oxalate (Li2C2O4), and borates. (C) 2014 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.