Effect of butyl sultone (BS) on the graphite interface of lithium ion battery in carbonate-based electrolytes is studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), as well as the density functional theory(DFT) calculation. The results indicate that BS has lower LUMO energy than the solvents and is reduced prior to solvent compositions of the electrolyte on graphite electrode, forming a stable solid electrolyte interface(SEI) film during the first cycle. The SEI film resistance and the charge transfer resistance of graphite electrode in BS containing solution change little after storage at 70 degrees C for 24 h, while those in BS-free solution increase significantly. The influence of BS on the electrochemical performance was also discussed. It was found that the discharge capacities at room temperature, low temperature and after high temperature storage were significantly improved due to the presence of BS.