	US 12,237,490 B2
	Method and apparatus for pre-lithiation of electrode
Seung-Hae Hwang, Daejeon (KR); Ye-Ri Kim, Daejeon (KR); and Oh-Byong Chae, Daejeon (KR)
Assigned to LG ENERGY SOLUTION, LTD., Seoul (KR)
Appl. No. 17/425,203
Filed by LG Energy Solution, Ltd., Seoul (KR)
PCT Filed Sep. 3, 2020, PCT No. PCT/KR2020/011887 § 371(c)(1), (2) Date Jul. 22, 2021, PCT Pub. No. WO2021/045542, PCT Pub. Date Mar. 11, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 10-2019-0110756 (KR), filed on Sep. 6, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0115632 A1, Apr. 14, 2022
Int. Cl. H01M 4/04 (2006.01); H01M 4/02 (2006.01); H01M 4/13 (2010.01); H01M 4/139 (2010.01); H01M 4/38 (2006.01); H01M 10/052 (2010.01)

CPC H01M 4/0404 (2013.01) [H01M 4/0435 (2013.01); H01M 4/13 (2013.01); H01M 4/139 (2013.01); H01M 4/382 (2013.01); H01M 2004/027 (2013.01); H01M 10/052 (2013.01)]

10 Claims

1. A method for pre-lithiation of an electrode, comprising the steps of:

(S1) providing a pre-lithiation reaction system which comprises

a first reaction system comprising lithium metal, a separator, an electrolyte for pre-lithiation and carbon felt, and

a second reaction system comprising the electrolyte for pre-lithiation and an electrode to be pre-lithiated,

wherein the lithium metal and the electrode to be pre-lithiated are not in direct contact with each other, and the first reaction system and the second reaction system communicate with each other;

(S2) preparing the electrode comprising an electrode current collector, and an electrode active material layer formed on at least one surface of the electrode current collector; and

(S3) allowing the electrode to pass through the second reaction system by a conveying roll to carry out pre-lithiation of the electrode,

wherein the electrolyte for pre-lithiation comprises at least one of an organic material or an inorganic material capable of oxidation/reduction in the electrolyte.

9. An apparatus for pre-lithiation, comprising:

a first reaction system comprising lithium metal, a separator stacked on the lithium metal, an electrolyte for pre-lithiation and carbon felt, and

a second reaction system comprising the electrolyte for pre-lithiation and an electrode to be pre-lithiated,

wherein the electrolyte for pre-lithiation comprises at least one of an organic material or inorganic material capable of oxidation/reduction in the electrolyte,

wherein the first reaction system and second reaction system communicate with each other through a line configured to convey the electrolyte for pre-lithiation,

the carbon felt is linked to an electricity supplying source, and

the electrode to be pre-lithiated passes through the second reaction system by a conveying roll.

10. An apparatus for pre-lithiation, comprising:

a first reaction system comprising lithium metal, a separator stacked on the lithium metal, an electrolyte for pre-lithiation and carbon felt, and

a second reaction system comprising the electrolyte for pre-lithiation and an electrode to be pre-lithiated,

wherein the electrolyte for pre-lithiation comprises at least one of an organic material or inorganic material capable of oxidation/reduction in the electrolyte,

wherein the first reaction system and second reaction system are received in the same reaction vessel,

the carbon felt is disposed between the first reaction system and second reaction system,

the carbon felt is linked to an electricity supplying source, and

the electrode to be pre-lithiated passes through the second reaction system by a conveying roll.