Battery with an in-situ activation plated lithium anode

Abstract

A thin-film rechargeable battery includes a cathode film; including a lithium transition metal oxide, an electrolyte film coupled to the cathode film, the electrolyte film being substantially nonreactive with oxidizing materials and with metallic lithium, an anode current collector coupled to the electrolyte film; and an overlying layer coupled to the anode current collector. The thin-film rechargeable battery is activated during an initial charge by electrochemical plating of a metallic lithium anode between the anode current collector and the electrolyte film. The plating of the anode during charging and the stripping of the anode layer during discharging are essentially reversible. Therefore, almost no diminishment of discharge capacity occurs, even after many discharge and charge cycles. Other advantages include no need for special packaging for shipping and handling. The battery eliminates the main drawbacks of the thin-film Li-ion battery (high capacity loss during the initial charge) and of the thin-film lithium battery (high air-sensitivity at all times, temperature limited to ˜100° C., expensive preparation of the lithium anode). The battery survives processing conditions that exceed those of a solder reflow process without any signs of degradation.