Fast Formation Cycling for Rechargeable Batteries

The formation process for lithium ion batteries typically takes several days or more, and it is necessary for providing a stable solid electrolyte interphase on the anode (at low potentials vs. Li/Li+) for preventing irreversible consumption of electrolyte and lithium ions. An analogous layer known as the cathode electrolyte interphase layer forms at the cathode at high potentials vs. Li/Li+. However, several days, or even up to a week, of these processes result in either lower LIB production rates or a prohibitively large size of charging-discharging equipment and space (i.e. excessive capital cost). The invented formation protocol shortens formation time by 6 times or more without compromising cell performance; rather, it improves capacity retention and reduces cell resistances, which will have a tremendous impact on the operating and capital cost of manufacturing LIBs.

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