Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having pre-lithiated semi-solid electrodes, and particularly to semi-solid electrodes that are pre-lithiated during the mixing of the semi-solid electrode slurry such that a solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) layer is formed in the semi-solid electrode before the electrochemical cell formation. In some embodiments, a semi-solid electrode includes about 20% to about 90% by volume of an active material, about 0% to about 25% by volume of a conductive material, about 10% to about 70% by volume of a liquid electrolyte, and lithium (as lithium metal, a lithium-containing material, and/or a lithium metal equivalent) in an amount sufficient to substantially pre-lithiate the active material. The lithium metal is configured to form a solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on a surface of the active material before an initial charging cycle of an electrochemical cell that includes the semi-solid electrode.

A method of pre-lithiating a negative electrode for a secondary battery, including: dispersing a lithium metal powder, an inorganic material powder and a binder in a solvent to prepare a mixed solution; and applying the mixed solution to the negative electrode to form a lithium metal-inorganic composite layer on the negative electrode, thereby forming the pre-lithiated negative electrode. Also, a method for pre-lithiating a negative electrode having a high capacity by a simple process. Further, a negative electrode for a secondary battery manufactured through the pre-lithiation method provided in the present invention has an improved initial irreversibility, and secondary batteries manufactured using such a negative electrode for a secondary battery have excellent charge/discharge efficiency.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to electrochemical cells having pre-lithiated semi-solid electrodes, and particularly to semi-solid electrodes that are pre-lithiated during the mixing of the semi-solid electrode slurry such that a solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) layer is formed in the semi-solid electrode before the electrochemical cell formation. In some embodiments, a semi-solid electrode includes about 20% to about 90% by volume of an active material, about 0% to about 25% by volume of a conductive material, about 10% to about 70% by volume of a liquid electrolyte, and lithium (as lithium metal, a lithium-containing material, and/or a lithium metal equivalent) in an amount sufficient to substantially pre-lithiate the active material. The lithium metal is configured to form a solid-electrolyte interface (SEI) layer on a surface of the active material before an initial charging cycle of an electrochemical cell that includes the semi-solid electrode.

Articles and methods involving protected electrode structures are generally provided. In some embodiments, a protected electrode structure includes an electrode comprising an alkali metal and a protective structure directly adjacent the electrode. In some embodiments, the protective structure comprises elemental carbon and intercalated ions. In some embodiments, the protective structure is a composite protective structure. The composite structure may comprise an alloy comprising an alkali metal, an oxide of an alkali metal, and/or a fluoride salt of an alkali metal.

Methods for producing nanostructures from copper-based catalysts on porous substrates, particularly silicon nanowires on carbon-based substrates for use as battery active materials, are provided. Related compositions are also described. In addition, novel methods for production of copper-based catalyst particles are provided. Methods for producing nanostructures from catalyst particles that comprise a gold shell and a core that does not include gold are also provided.

A main object of the present disclosure is to provide an active material wherein a volume variation due to charge/discharge is small. The present disclosure achieves the object by providing an active material comprising a silicon clathrate II type crystal phase, and having a composition represented by Na.sub.xSi.sub.136, wherein 1.98<x<2.54.

Provided are a negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery and a method of manufacturing the same. The negative electrode for a lithium secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a negative electrode active material including: a silicon oxide, lithium, and sodium or potassium, wherein in ICP analysis of a negative electrode active material layer including the negative electrode active material, contents of elements in the negative electrode active material layer satisfy the following Relations (1) and (2):

300?10.sup.6*A/(B.sup.2+C.sup.2)?12.0*10.sup.6(1)

800?A?140,000(2) wherein A is a Li content in ppm, B is a Na content in ppm, and C is a K content in ppm, based on the total weight of the ICP-analyzed negative electrode active material layer.

A method for pre-lithiating a silicon oxide negative electrode for a secondary battery, specifically a method for pre-lithiation by immersing the silicon oxide negative electrode in an electrolytic solution for wetting, and by applying pressure while a lithium metal is in direct contact with the wetted silicon oxide negative electrode. The silicon oxide negative electrode for a secondary battery manufactured through pre-lithiation provided in the present disclosure has improved initial irreversibility, and a secondary battery manufactured using such a silicon oxide negative electrode for a secondary battery has excellent charge/discharge efficiency.

Methods for producing nanostructures from copper-based catalysts on porous substrates, particularly silicon nanowires on carbon-based substrates for use as battery active materials, are provided. Related compositions are also described. In addition, novel methods for production of copper-based catalyst particles are provided. Methods for producing nanostructures from catalyst particles that comprise a gold shell and a core that does not include gold are also provided.

A main object of the present disclosure is to provide an active material wherein a volume variation due to charge/discharge is small. The present disclosure achieves the object by providing an active material comprising a silicon clathrate II type crystal phase, and having a composition represented by Na.sub.xSi.sub.136, wherein 1.98<