Strategy to Nonlinearly Deplete Irreversible Li Consumption in Si-rich Li-Ion Batteries

TL;DR

This paper proposes a novel cell design strategy that leverages repeated silicon lithiation/de-lithiation cycles and prelithiation techniques to nonlinearly reduce irreversible lithium consumption in silicon-rich lithium-ion batteries, aiming to enhance energy density.

Contribution

It introduces a new approach combining cycling strategies and prelithiation to minimize irreversible lithium loss in silicon-rich anodes, surpassing traditional methods.

Findings

Repeated lithiation/de-lithiation cycles improve irreversibility.

Prototypic cell designs effectively reduce lithium consumption.

Potential to push energy density limits in Li-ion batteries.

Abstract

Despite recent significant developments of Si composites, use of silicon with significance in the anodes for Li-ion batteries is still limited. In fact, nominal energy density is to be saturated around ~750 Wh/L regardless of cell-types under the current material strategies. Use of Si-rich anode can push the limit; however, the prolonged irreversible Li consumption becomes more prominent. We previously showed that repeating c-Li3.75(+{\delta})Si formation/decomposition, typically recognized to degrade the anodes, can improve the irreversibility and accumulatively minimize the gross consumption. Utilizing the insights combined with prelithiation techniques, here we provide prototypic cell designs that can nonlinearly deplete the consumption.