DOE PAGES title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Solid‐State Prealkylation of Electrode Architectures (SPEAR): Direct Control of Prelithiation Levels in Silicon Anodes and Electrochemical Cycling

Journal Article · · Advanced Materials Technologies

The Solid-state Prealkylation of Electrode ARchitectures (SPEAR) is different than traditional electrochemical prealkylation processes. Through SPEAR, alkylation is driven by solid state diffusion without the simultaneous SEI formation concomitant with polarization. We investigate the prelithiation of 80 wt. % Si-based anodes to varying amounts (up to Li1.38Si) to understand the trade-off between improved Li capacity and expansion-induced stress. Through dilatometry, we found that solid-state lithiation led to filling of the electrode pores through silicon expansion. This swelling changed the SEI formation process and accessibility of the silicon compared to an electrochemically lithiated electrode. Indeed, optimal prelithiation to Li0.82Si increases the initial C/3 cycling capacity post-SEI formation up to 43%, consistent with deeper Si activation through the electrode bulk. Prelithiation and cycling cells prelithiated beyond Li0.82Si results in a state of charge (SOC) close to 100% which facilitates parasitic degradation mechanisms and volume expansion of the Si electrode. The results demonstrate a pathway to modify silicon activation/SEI formation to enable high energy electrodes.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Department of Energy; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) - Office of Vehicle Technologies (VTO); USDOE Office of Science - Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
3374592
Journal Information:
Advanced Materials Technologies, Journal Name: Advanced Materials Technologies Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 11
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English