In Situ Artificial Hybrid SEI Layer Enabled High-Performance Prelithiated SiOx Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Considered the promising anode material for next-generation high-energy lithium-ion batteries, SiOx has been slow to commercialize due to its low initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and unstable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer, which leads to reduced full-cell energy density, short cycling lives, and poor rate performance. Herein, a novel strategy is proposed to in situ construct an artificial hybrid SEI layer consisting of LiF and Li3Sb on a prelithiated SiOx anode via spontaneous chemical reaction with SbF3. In addition to the increasing ICE (94.5%), the preformed artificial SEI layer with long-term cycle stability and enhanced Li+ transport capability enables a remarkable improvement in capacity retention and rate capability for modified SiOx. Furthermore, the full cell using Li(Ni0.8Co0.1Mn0.1)O-2 and a pre-treated anode exhibits high ICE (86.0%) and capacity retention (86.6%) after 100 cycles at 0.5 C. This study provides a fresh insight into how to obtain stable interface on a prelithiated SiOx anode for high energy and long lifespan lithium-ion batteries.