Pre-lithiated Precursor Electrode for Lithium Reservoir Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lithium-ion batteries experience irreversible capacity loss due to lithium ion loss during the first cycle, especially with silicon-containing electrodes, leading to decreased specific energy and power, and existing compensation methods are unstable or difficult to produce evenly.

Innovation Solution

The development of pre-lithiated precursor electrodes with a lithium foil layer between the electroactive material and current collector, which dissolves in the electrolyte to form a lithium reservoir, addressing the irreversible capacity loss by pre-loading lithium ions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional lithium-ion batteries are used without pre-lithiation, then the battery structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but irreversible capacity loss occurs due to lithium ion loss during the first cycle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecycle stabilityVSAvoidelectrode structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-lithiating the negative electrode before battery assembly. A lithium-containing compound (such as lithium metal foil, lithium powder, or lithium-containing ceramic particles) is introduced onto the negative electrode surface prior to cell formation. This pre-loaded lithium compensates for the irreversible lithium loss that occurs during the first cycle, thereby improving cycle stability and capacity retention without fundamentally altering the basic battery structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If silicon-containing negative electrodes are used to increase capacity, then specific energy is improved, but irreversible capacity loss increases significantly after the first cycle

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelithium capacityVSAvoidcapacity retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by introducing a lithium-containing compound onto the silicon-based negative electrode before battery assembly. This pre-loaded lithium acts as a buffer that counteracts the severe lithium loss caused by silicon's volume expansion and SEI formation during the first cycle. The lithium-containing compound compensates for the irreversible capacity loss, enabling silicon electrodes to achieve both high specific energy and acceptable capacity retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Reliability

If lithium is deposited on the anode to compensate for lithium loss, then capacity retention is improved, but production becomes difficult and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecapacity retentionVSAvoidproduction process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a lithium-containing compound (such as lithium metal foil, lithium powder, or lithium-containing ceramic particles) that is applied in a simple manner during electrode manufacturing. This approach replaces complex post-assembly lithium deposition processes with a straightforward electrode fabrication step, significantly improving ease of manufacture while effectively compensating for lithium loss and enhancing capacity retention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach improves cycle stability and capacity retention by pre-loading lithium ions, reducing irreversible capacity loss and enhancing the electrochemical performance of lithium-ion batteries.

Implementation Method 1

The lithium foil may at least partially or fully dissolve when contacted with an electrolyte to form a lithium reservoir in the electrochemical cell

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

The lithium foil dissolves in the electrolyte to release lithium ions and electrons

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reaction: Electrolysis

Implementation Method 3

The lithium ions and electrons may react with the electroactive material to form a pre-lithiated electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochemical reduction: Reduction

Data Source

PatentUS20230246161A1Pre-lithiation, precursor electrodes and methods of making and using the same

Publication Date: 2023.08.03 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A pre-lithiated, precursor electrode includes an electroactive material layer, a current collector, and a lithium foil disposed between the electroactive material layer and the current collector. A method of preparing an electrode to be used in an electrochemical cell is provide. The method includes preparing a pre-lithiated, precursor electrode. Preparing the pre-lithiated precursor electrode includes contacting at least a first electroactive material layer with a first surface of a lithium foil assembly, where the lithium foil assembly includes a current collector and at least a first lithium foil disposed on or adjacent to a first surface of the current collector. The method may further include contacting the prelithiated, precursor electrode with an electrolyte in the electrochemical cell, where the first lithium foil at least partially or fully dissolves when contacted by the electrolyte to form the electrode and a lithium reservoir in the electrochemical cell.