Lithium-alloy anodes

It is now well established that in lithium batteries (including lithium-ion batteries) containing either liquid or polymer electrolytes, the anode is always covered by a passivating layer called the SEI. However, the chemical and electrochemical formation reactions and properties of this layer are as yet not well understood. In this section we discuss the electrode surface and SEI characterizations, film formation reactions (chemical and electrochemical), and other phenomena taking place at the lithium or lithium-alloy anode, and at the Li. C6 anode/electrolyte interface in both liquid and polymer-electrolyte batteries. We focus on the lithium anode but the theoretical considerations are common to all alkali-metal anodes. We address also the initial electrochemical formation steps of the SEI, the role of the solvated-electron rate constant in the selection of SEI-building materials (precursors), and the correlation between SEI properties and battery quality and performance. 

Besenhard JO, Yang J, Winter M. Will advanced lithium-alloy anodes have a chance in lithium-ion batteries J Power Sources 1997 68 87-90. 

Huggins, R.A., Lithium alloy anodes, in Handbook of Battery Materials, 1.0. Besenhard, Ed., Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, Germany, 1999, pp. 359-381. 

After a 12-year research work on electroacoustic materials, I resumed investigating novel electrochemical cells. My efforts were focused on cells utilizing nonaqueous electrolytes, especially those with carbon/lithium alloy anodes. The result was a high-performance cell with LiCo02 (LCO) cathodes and lithiated carbon anodes. We named this battery system LIB. 

Huggins RA (2011) Lithium alloy anodes. In Besenhard JO, Daniel C (ed) Handbook of battery materials, 2nd edn. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim... 

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