Novel Pre-lithiation Technology for High Energy Density Electric Vehicle Batteries

Successful commercialization and market adoption of electric drive vehicles (EVs) requires development of fast-charge capable Li-ion storage technologies that can deliver >350Wh/kg, well above what can be achieved with current battery materials. Implementation of next generation cathode and anode materials is needed to further increase specific energy of Li-ion cells. However, without pre-lithiation, some of the most promising anode materials that have high capacity but low efficiency cannot be used. CAMX Power proposes to develop a safe and scalable pre-lithiation technology that will enable the use of very high capacity, long life, but low first cycle efficiency Si-based anodes to demonstrate lithium-ion cells capable of meeting specific energy, power, and life targets for EV batteries. Moreover, this prelithiation technology will enable the use of fast-charge capable but low first cycle efficiency carbon anodes that have a potential to achieve extreme fast charge EV batteries. We will leverage our CAM-7® cathode material and our work on Si-based and carbon anodes to demonstrate lithium-ion cells that utilize pre-lithiation and are able to meet the 350Wh/kg target while providing fast charge capability. The Phase I program demonstrated the feasibility of the pre-lithiation technology for substantially improving cell specific energy for the EV applications and potential improvement in achieving long life during fast charge operation. Specifically, during the Phase I effort, we assessed the impact of active materials on the extent of pre-lithiation achieved and tested different pre-lithiation process parameters and environmental stability of pre-lithiated electrodes. Pre-lithiation was then demonstrated with a Sicontaining anode, first in coin cells and then in 200mAh pouch cells, to show how this technology can be scaled.Commercial Applications and Other Benefits Proposed technology will enable production of fast-charge capable batteries with >350Wh/kg specific energy making it extremely attractive for implementation in both portable power and EV batteries. By increasing the energy density of EV batteries, and thus increasing the driving range of vehicles between recharges, while bringing EV charge rates closer to refueling times for ICE vehicles we anticipate this technology will further lead to increased market adoption of electric vehicles.