The present invention relates to a cathode, a lithium air battery including a cathode, and a method of preparing the lithium air battery. A cathode configured to use oxygen as a cathode active material, the cathode including: a lithium alloy represented by Formula 1

Li.sub.xM.sub.y Formula 1 wherein, in Formula 1, M is Pb, Sn, Mo, Hf, U, Nb, Th, Ta, Bi, Mg, Al, Si, Zn, Ag, Cd, In, Sb, Pt, or Au, 0<x10, 0<y10, and 0<x/y<10.

Disclosed are a secondary battery comprising a negative electrode composed of two or more negative electrode plates and a method of manufacturing the secondary battery, wherein each of the negative electrode plates includes a lithium by-product layer formed through pre-lithiation reaction on a negative electrode current collector coated with a negative electrode active material, wherein an inorganic substance layer is formed on a negative electrode tab that is extended from an end at one side of the negative electrode current collector and is composed of an active material-non-coated portion not coated with the negative electrode active material, and negative electrode tabs of the negative electrode plates are electrically connected with one negative electrode lead to form a negative electrode terminal.

In an example of a method for enhancing the performance of a silicon-based negative electrode, the silicon-based negative electrode is pre-lithiated in an electrolyte including a lithium salt dissolved in a solvent mixture of dimethoxyethane (DME) and fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC). The DME and FEC are present in a volume to volume ratio ranging from 10 to 1 to 1 to 10. The pre-lithiation forms a stable solid electrolyte interface layer on an exposed surface of the negative electrode.

A lithium ion battery and a method for producing the lithium ion battery are disclosed.

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.

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.

Systems and methods are provided, in which the level of metal ions in cells stacks and lithium ion batteries is regulated in situ, with the electrodes of the cell stack(s) in the respective pouches. Regulation of metal ions may be carried out electrochemically by metal ion sources in the pouches, electrically connected to the electrodes. The position and shape of the metal ion sources may be optimized to create uniform metal ion movements to the electrode surfaces and favorable SEI formation. The metal ion sources may be removable, or comprise a lithium source for lithiating the anodes or cathodes during operation of the battery according to SoH parameters. Regulation of metal ions may be carried out from metal ion sources in separate electrolyte reservoir(s), with circulation of the metal-ion-containing electrolyte through the cell stacks in the pouches prior or during the formation.

A negative electrode active material for a negative electrode material of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, includes a silicon-based material expressed by SiO.sub.x where 0.5x1.6 and either or both of a crystalized fluorine compound and a compound containing CF.sub.2CF.sub.2 units in at least a part of a surface layer of the negative electrode active material, the silicon-based material containing at least one of Li.sub.6Si.sub.2O.sub.7, Li.sub.2Si.sub.3O.sub.5, and Li.sub.4SiO.sub.4. There can be provided a negative electrode active material that can increase the battery capacity and improve the cycle performance and initial charge and discharge performance when used for a lithium-ion secondary battery, as well as a lithium-ion secondary battery having a negative electrode using this negative electrode active material.

Provided is an anode composition for lithium ion batteries, comprising a) a silicon-based active material; and b) a binder, wherein the binder is selected from the group consisting of oxystarch, locust bean gum, tara gum, karaya gum and any combination thereof. Also provided are a process for preparing an anode for lithium ion batteries and a lithium ion battery.

A lithium-ion secondary battery that includes a positive electrode including a sulfur-based positive active material containing at least sulfur and a negative electrode including a silicon-based negative active material containing at least silicon or a tin-based negative active material containing tin, in which lithium ions are easily implanted and moved. A positive electrode includes a positive current collector and a sulfur-based positive active material containing at least sulfur (S). A negative electrode includes a negative current collector and a silicon-based negative active material containing at least silicon (Si) or a tin-based negative active material containing tin (Sn). The positive current collector is made of an aluminum foil having a plurality of through holes. The negative current collector is made of a copper foil having a plurality of through holes. The positive electrode and the negative electrode are stacked via a separator to form an electrode group.