The reduction of the irreversible capacity of metal oxide-based negative electrodes for Li-ion batteries

Metal oxide-based negative electrodes have received great attention in rece nt years mainly for their large lithium insertion capacity. Tin-based amorp hous oxides have shown to reversibly intercalate about 600 mAh of lithium p er gram of oxide. Unlikely, the use of these materials in practical cells i s reduced by the irreversible uptake of lithium that takes place during the first insertion/release cycle. In this paper we show that the irreversible capacity of a non-stoichiometric lithium iron oxide (Li-Fe-O) can be subst antially reduced through a preliminary chemical reaction with lithium hydri de at high temperature (600 degrees C).