Method for pre-lithiation of the negative electrode in lithium ion batteries

1. A Li-ion battery comprising:

an anode;

a cathode;

a separator for separating the anode and the cathode;

a lithium donor formed from a Li-containing material wherein the lithium donor is a layer formed on a side of the separator adjacent one of the anode and the cathode, the Li-containing material including one of:

a compound having a formula of Li 3-x M x N, where M is one of Co, Cu, and Ni and where x is from about 0.01 to about 0.6;

a compound having a formula of Li 2x-1 MN x , where M is one of Mn, Fe, and V and where x is from about 1 to about 4; and

a compound having a formula of Li x MVO 4 , where M is one of Zn, Co, Ni, or Cd and where x is from about 1 to about 8; and

an electrolyte in communication with the anode, the cathode, and the lithium donor.

2. The Li-ion battery of claim 1 , wherein the lithium donor is formed from a compound having a formula of Li 3-x M x N, where M is one of Co, Cu, and Ni and where x is from about 0.01 to about 0.6.

3. The Li-ion battery of claim 2 , wherein the lithium donor is formed from Li 3-x Co x N where x is from about 0.01 to about 0.5.

4. The Li-ion battery of claim 2 , wherein the lithium donor is formed from Li 3-x Cu x N where x is from about 0.01 to about 0.3.

5. The Li-ion battery of claim 2 , wherein the lithium donor is formed from Li 3-x Ni x N where x is from about 0.01 to about 0.6.

6. The Li-ion battery of claim 1 , wherein the lithium donor is formed from a compound having a formula of Li 2x-1 MN x , where M is one of Mn, Fe, and V and where x is from about 1 to about 4.

7. The Li-ion battery of claim 6 , wherein the lithium donor is formed from Li 2x-1 MnN x where x is about 4.

8. The Li-ion battery of claim 6 , wherein the lithium donor is formed from Li 2x-1 FeN x where x is about 2.

9. The Li-ion battery of claim 6 , wherein the lithium donor is formed from Li 2x-1 VN x where x is about 1.

10. The Li-ion battery of claim 1 , wherein the lithium donor is formed from one of a compound having a formula of Li x MVO 4 , where M is one of Zn, Co, Ni, or Cd and where x is from about 1 to about 8.

11. A method of forming a Li-ion battery comprising the steps of:

mixing a powdered Li-containing material with a non-aqueous liquid to form a slurry, the Li-containing material formed from one of a compound having a formula of Li 3-x M x N (where M is one of Co, Cu, and Ni and where x is from about 0.01 to about 0.6), Li 2x-1 MN x (where M is one of Mn, Fe, and V and where x is from about 1 to about 4), Li x MVO 4 (where M is one of Zn, Co, Ni, or Cd and where x is from about 1 to about 8);

coating the slurry on a side of a separator of a Li-ion battery; and

drying the slurry coated on the side of the separator to form a lithium donor.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the coating step involves coating the slurry on the side of the separator adjacent the anode.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the coating step involves coating the slurry of the side of the separator adjacent the cathode.

14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising a step of mixing the powdered Li-containing material with a powdered anode active material prior to the mixing step to form the slurry, wherein the slurry includes the Li-containing material, the anode active material, and the non-aqueous liquid.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein the coating step involves coating the slurry on the current collector to form the anode of the Li-ion battery with the lithium donor incorporated therein.

16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:

a. mixing the powdered Li-containing material with a powdered cathode material prior to the mixing step to form the slurry, wherein the slurry includes the Li-containing material, the cathode active material, and the non-aqueous liquid; and

b. coating step involves coating the slurry on the current collector to form the cathode of the Li-ion battery with the lithium donor incorporated therein.