Phased introduction of lithium into the pre-lithiated anode of a lithium ion electrochemical cell

1. A process of maximizing specific capacity and capacity retention of a lithium ion cell comprising: a) pre-lithiating an anode; b) assembling the anode, a cathode, a separator and electrolyte into a sealed cell; c) charging the cell to a voltage above that of electrolyte reduction but below that voltage that would violate the anode maximum safe lithium capacity; d) discharging or partially discharging the cell; and e) charging the cell to the full voltage, wherein the cathode does not initially contain lithium when assembled.

2. A process as in claim 1 , wherein steps (c) and (d) are repeated.

3. A process as in claim 1 , wherein an elevated temperature is applied to the cell after step (c) for ½ to 7 or more days.

4. A process as in claim 1 , where cell specific capacity and volumetric capacity density are increased.

5. A process as in claim 1 , where cell capacity retention is increased.

6. A process as in claim 1 , in which steps (c) and (d) are performed at elevated temperatures.

7. A process as in claim 1 , wherein steps (c) and (d) are repeated and step (c) is repeated at incrementally higher voltages to stimulate further solid electrolyte interphase loss.

8. A process as in claim 1 , wherein step (a) comprises applying a reducing current to an anode material bathed in a solution comprising a non-aqueous solvent and at least one dissolved lithium salt to add a pre-lithiation amount P, wherein

P≧F+E−I c ,

A m =Anode maximum capacity;

F=Formation capacity loss;

E=Elevated temperature age loss; and

I c =Irreversible cathode Li + donation,

and the total amount of lithium residing in the anode must be always less than A m .

9. A process of claim 8 , wherein the lithium salt is lithium chloride and the solvent is gamma-butyrolactone.

10. A process of maximizing specific capacity and capacity retention of a lithium ion cell comprising: a) pre-lithiating an anode; b) assembling the anode, a cathode, a separator and electrolyte into a sealed cell; c) heating the cell to an elevated temperature; d) charging the heated cell to a voltage above that of electrolyte reduction but below that voltage that would violate the anode maximum safe lithium capacity; e) optionally discharging the cell and repeating step (c) above; f) optionally discharging the cell; and g) charging the cell to the full voltage, wherein the cathode does not initially contain lithium when assembled.

11. A process as in claim 10 , where cell specific capacity and volumetric capacity density are increased.

12. A process as in claim 10 , where cell capacity retention is increased.

13. A process as in claim 10 , in which a storage step at elevated temperature is used prior to step g.

14. A process as in claim 10 , wherein step (a) comprises applying a reducing current to an anode material bathed in a solution comprising a non-aqueous solvent and at least one dissolved lithium salt to add a pre-lithiation amount P, wherein

P≧F+E−I c ,

A m =Anode maximum capacity;

F=Formation capacity loss;

E=Elevated temperature age loss; and

I c =Irreversible cathode Li + donation,

and the total amount of lithium residing in the anode must be always less than A m .

15. A process of claim 14 , wherein the lithium salt is lithium chloride and the solvent is gamma-butyrolactone.

16. A process of maximizing specific capacity and capacity retention of a lithium ion cell comprising: a) providing a pre-lithiated anode; b) assembling the anode, a cathode, a separator and electrolyte into a sealed cell; c) charging the cell to a voltage above that of electrolyte reduction but below that voltage that would violate the anode maximum safe lithium capacity; d) discharging or partially discharging the cell; and e) charging the cell to the full voltage, wherein the cathode does not initially contain lithium when assembled.