Prelithiation strategies for silicon-based anode in high energy density lithium-ion battery

• Published in: Green energy & environment 2023-10, Vol.8 (5), p.1325-1340
• Main Authors: Jia, Tianqi, Zhong, Geng, Lv, Yao, Li, Nanrui, Liu, Yanru, Yu, Xiaoliang, Zou, Jinshuo, Chen, Zhen, Peng, Lele, Kang, Feiyu, Cao, Yidan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Coulombic efficiency; Lithium loss; Lithium-ion battery; Prelithiation; Si-based materials
• ISSN: 2468-0257; 2468-0257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gee.2022.08.005

Green energy storage devices play vital roles in reducing fossil fuel emissions and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Growing markets for portable electronics and electric vehicles create tremendous demand for advanced lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with high power and energy density, and novel electrode material with high capacity and energy density is one of the keys to next-generation LIBs. Silicon-based materials, with high specific capacity, abundant natural resources, high-level safety and environmental friendliness, are quite promising alternative anode materials. However, significant volume expansion and redundant side reactions with electrolytes lead to active lithium loss and decreased coulombic efficiency (CE) of silicon-based material, which hinders the commercial application of silicon-based anode. Prelithiation, pre-embedding extra lithium ions in the electrodes, is a promising approach to replenish the lithium loss during cycling. Recent progress on prelithiation strategies for silicon-based anode, including electrochemical method, chemical method, direct contact method, and active material method, and their practical potentials are reviewed and prospected here. The development of advanced Si-based material and prelithiation technologies is expected to provide promising approaches for the large-scale application of silicon-based materials. Unstable SEI and pulverized particles can lead to low coulombic efficiency of Si-based anode. Prelithiation can alleviate the issues, so that the amount of active Li+ can be kept at a high level in the full cell. [Display omitted] •The mechanism of active lithium loss in Si-based anode is systematically expounded.•The significance and necessity of prelithiation to enhance ICE are summarized.•Progress and advantages/disadvantages of prelithiation strategies are reviewed.•Potential and challenge to develop practical prelithiation strategy are prospected.