US2021143391A1PendingUtilityA1
Fast formation cycling for rechargeable batteries

Assignee: UT BATTELLE LLCPriority: Dec 22, 2017Filed: Jan 14, 2021Published: May 13, 2021
Est. expiryDec 22, 2037(~11.4 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:David L. Wood, Iii Jianlin Li Seong Jin An
H02J 7/865H01M 4/505H01M 4/525H01M 4/0445H01M 10/446H01M 10/0525H01M 4/0447H01M 10/44H01M 4/587Y02E60/10H02J 7/0068
PatentIndex Score
Cited by
References
Claims
Abstract

A method for fast formation cycling for rechargeable batteries comprising the steps of: step 1 (First Partial Charge)—charge cell from open-circuit voltage (OVC) up to 80-90% of an upper cutoff voltage (UCV) of from 4-5 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 and not more than 1.5; step 2 (First Shallow Charge)—charge cell from 80-90% of UCV to 97-100% of UCV at a C rate of not less than 0.2 and not more than 0.5; step 3 (First Shallow Discharge)—discharge cell from 97-100% of UCV to 80-90% of UCV at a C rate of not less than 0.2 and not more than 0.5; and step 4 (Subsequent Charge/Discharge Cycles)—repeat steps 2-3 up to 2-10 times where the charging and discharging rates are progressively increased by 25-75%. A battery made according to the method of the invention is also disclosed.
Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for fast formation ion cycling for rechargeable batteries comprising the steps of:
 1) charging the cell from open-circuit voltage (OVC) up to 80-90% of an upper cutoff voltage (UCV) of from 4-5 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 and not more than 1.5;   2) charging the cell from 80-90% of UCV to 97-100% of UCV at a C rate of not less than 0.2 and not more than 0.5;   3) discharging the cell from 97-100% of UCV to 80-90% of UCV at a C rate of not less than 0.2 and not more than 0.5; and,   repeating steps 2) and 3) up to 2-10 times where the charging and discharging rates are progressively increased by 25-75%.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cell comprises LiNi x Mn y Co 1-x-y O 2  (NMC)/Graphite, x≤0.5 and the method comprises the steps of:
 1) charging the cell from open-circuit voltage (OVC) of ˜3 V up to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 (80 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.5 (240 mA/g-NMC); 
 2) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 0.2 (32 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 0.5 (80 mA/g-NMC); and 
 3) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 0.2 (32 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 0.5 (80 mA/g-NMC). 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the steps of:
 4) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 0.5 (80 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 0.75 (120 mA/g-NMC).   5) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 0.5 (80 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 0.75 (120 mA/g-NMC).   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the steps of:
 6) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 0.75 (120 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.2 (192 mA/g-NMC); and   7) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 0.75 (120 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.2 (192 mA/g-NMC).   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising the steps of:
 8) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 1.2 (192 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.5 (240 mA/g-NMC); and   9) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 1.2 (192 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.5 (240 mA/g-NMC).   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising the steps of:
 10) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 1.5 (240 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 2.0 (320 mA/g-NMC); and   11) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 2.5 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 (80 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.5 (240 mA/g-NMC).   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cell comprises LiNi x Mn y Co 1-x-y O 2  (NMC)/Graphite, x&lt;0.5≤0.8 and the method comprises the steps of:
 1) charging the cell from open-circuit voltage (OVC) of ˜3 V up to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 (95 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.5 (285 mA/g-NMC); 
 2) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.4 V at a C rate of not less than 0.2 (38 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 0.5 (95 mA/g-NMC); and 
 3) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.4 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 0.2 (38 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 0.5 (95 mA/g-NMC). 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising the steps of:
 4) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.4 V at a C rate of not less than 0.5 (95 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 0.75 (142.5 mA/g-NMC); and   5) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.4 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 0.5 (95 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 0.75 (142.5 mA/g-NMC).   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the steps of:
 6) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.4 V at a C rate of not less than 0.75 (142.5 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.2 (228 mA/g-NMC); and   7) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.4 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 0.75 (142.5 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.2 (228 mA/g-NMC).   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 8) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.4 V at a C rate of not less than 1.2 (228 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.5 (285 mA/g-NMC); and   9) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.4 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 1.2 (228 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.5 (285 mA/g-NMC).   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
 10) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.4 V at a C rate of not less than 1.5 (285 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 2.0 (380 mA/g-NMC); and   11) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.4 V to 2.5 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 (95 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.5 (285 mA/g-NMC).   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cell comprises LiFePO 4  (LFP)/graphite and the method comprises the steps of:
 1) charging the cell from open-circuit voltage (OVC) of ˜2.5 V up to 3.2-3.4 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 (75 mA/g-LFP) and not more than 1.5 (225 mA/g-LFP);   2) charging the cell from 3.2-3.4 V to maximum cell voltage of 3.6-3.7 V at a C rate of not less than 0.2 (30 mA/g-LFP) and not more than 0.5 (75 mA/g-LFP); and   3) discharging the cell from 3.6-3.7 V to 3.2-3.4 V at a C rate of not less than 0.2 (30 mA/g-LFP) and not more than 0.5 (75 mA/g-LFP).   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
 4) charging the cell from 3.2-3.4 V to maximum cell voltage of 3.6-3.7 V at a C rate of not less than 0.5 (75 mA/g-LFP) and not more than 0.75 (112.5 mA/g-LFP); and   5) discharging the cell from 3.6-3.7 V to 3.2-3.4 V at a C rate of not less than 0.5 (75 mA/g-LFP) and not more than 0.75 (112.5 mA/g-LFP).   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of:
 6) charging the cell from 3.2-3.4 V to maximum cell voltage of 3.6-3.7 V at a C rate of not less than 0.75 (112.5 mA/g-LFP) and not more than 1.2 (180 mA/g-LFP); and   7) discharging the cell from 3.6-3.7 V to 3.2-3.4 V at a C rate of not less than 0.75 (112.5 mA/g-LFP) and not more than 1.2 (180 mA/g-LFP).   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the steps of:
 8) charging the cell from 3.2-3.4 V to maximum cell voltage of 3.6-3.7 V at a C rate of not less than 1.2 (180 mA/g-LFP) and not more than 1.5 (225 mA/g-LFP); and   9) discharging the cell from 3.6-3.7 V to 3.2-3.4 V at a C rate of not less than 1.2 (180 mA/g-LFP) and not more than 1.5 (225 mA/g-LFP).   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 10) charging the cell from 3.2-3.4 V to maximum cell voltage of 3.6-3.7 V at a C rate of not less than 1.5 (225 mA/g-LFP) and not more than 2.0 (300 mA/g-LFP); and   11) discharging the cell from 3.6-3.7 V to 2.5 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 (75 mA/g-LFP) and not more than 1.5 (225 mA/g-LFP).   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cell comprises LiNi x Co y Al 1-x-y O 2  (NCA)/Graphite, y≤0.3 and the method comprises the steps of:
 1) charging the cell from open-circuit voltage (OVC) of ˜3 V up to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 (100 mA/g-NCA) and not more than 1.5 (300 mA/g-NCA); 
 2) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 0.2 (40 mA/g-NCA) and not more than 0.5 (100 mA/g-NCA); and 
 3) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 0.2 (40 mA/g-NCA) and not more than 0.5 (100 mA/g-NCA). 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the steps of:
 4) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 0.5 (100 mA/g-NCA) and not more than 0.75 (150 mA/g-NCA); and   5) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 0.5 (100 mA/g-NCA) and not more than 0.75 (150 mA/g-NCA).   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising the steps of:
 6) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 0.75 (150 mA/g-NCA) and not more than 1.2 (240 mA/g-NCA); and   7) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 0.75 (150 mA/g-NCA) and not more than 1.2 (240 mA/g-NCA).   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the steps of:
 8) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 1.2 (240 mA/g-NCA) and not more than 1.5 (300 mA/g-NCA); and   9) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 1.2 (240 mA/g-NCA) and not more than 1.5 (300 mA/g-NCA).   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising the steps of:
 10) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 1.5 (300 mA/g-NCA) and not more than 2.0 (400 mA/g-NCA); and   11) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 2.5 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 (100 mA/g-NCA) and not more than 1.5 (300 mA/g-NCA).   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cell comprises LiCoO 2  (LCO)/graphite and the method comprises the steps of:
 1) charging the cell from open-circuit voltage (OVC) of ˜3 V up to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 (70 mA/g-LCO) and not more than 1.5 (210 mA/g-LCO);   2) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 0.2 (28 mA/g-LCO) and not more than 0.5 (70 mA/g-LCO); and   3) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 0.2 (28 mA/g-LCO) and not more than 0.5 (70 mA/g-LCO).   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising the steps of:
 4) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 0.5 (70 mA/g-LCO) and not more than 0.75 (105 mA/g-LCO); and   5) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 0.5 (70 mA/g-LCO) and not more than 0.75 (105 mA/g-LCO).   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising the steps of:
 6) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 0.75 (105 mA/g-LCO) and not more than 1.2 (168 mA/g-LCO); and   7) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 0.75 (105 mA/g-LCO) and not more than 1.2 (168 mA/g-LCO).   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising the steps of:
 8) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 1.2 (168 mA/g-LCO) and not more than 1.5 (210 mA/g-LCO); and   9) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 1.2 (168 mA/g-LCO) and not more than 1.5 (210 mA/g-LCO).   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising the steps of:
 10) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 1.5 (210 mA/g-LCO) and not more than 2.0 (280 mA/g-LCO); and   11) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 2.5 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 (70 mA/g-LCO) and not more than 1.5 (210 mA/g-LCO).   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cell comprises Li 1+x Ni y Mn z Co 1-x-y-z O 2  (NMC)/graphite, 0&lt;x≤0.2. z≥0.5 and the method comprises the steps of:
 1) charging the cell from open-circuit voltage (OVC) of ˜3 V up to 3.9-4.1 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 (115 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.5 (345 mA/g-NMC); 
 2) charging the cell from 3.9-4.1 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.3-4.5 V at a C rate of not less than 0.2 (46 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 0.5 (115 mA/g-NMC); and 
 3) discharging the cell from 4.3-4.5 V to 3.9-4.1 V at a C rate of not less than 0.2 (46 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 0.5 (115 mA/g-NMC). 
 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising the steps of:
 4) charging the cell from 3.9-4.1 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.3-4.5 V at a C rate of not less than 0.5 (115 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 0.75 (172.5 mA/g-NMC); and   5) discharging the cell from 4.3-4.5 V to 3.9-4.1 V at a C rate of not less than 0.5 (115 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 0.75 (172.5 mA/g-NMC).   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising the steps of:
 6) charging the cell from 3.9-4.1 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.3-4.5 V at a C rate of not less than 0.75 (172.5 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.2 (276 mA/g-NMC); and   7) discharging the cell from 4.3-4.5 V to 3.9-4.1 V at a C rate of not less than 0.75 (172.5 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.2 (276 mA/g-NMC).   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , further comprising the steps of:
 8) charging the cell from 3.9-4.1 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.3-4.5 V at a C rate of not less than 1.2 (276 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.5 (345 mA/g-NMC); and   9) discharging the cell from 4.3-4.5 V to 3.9-4.1 V at a C rate of not less than 1.2 (276 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.5 (345 mA/g-NMC).   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the steps of:
 10) charging the cell from 3.9-4.1 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.3-4.5 Vat a C rate of not less than 1.5 (345 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 2.0 (460 mA/g-NMC); and   11) discharging the cell from 4.3-4.5 V to 2.5 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 (115 mA/g-NMC) and not more than 1.5 (345 mA/g-NMC).   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cell comprises LiNi x Fe y Al 1-x-y O 2  (NFA)/graphite, 0.25≤x≤0.85 and the method comprises the steps of:
 1) charging the cell from open-circuit voltage (OVC) of ˜3 V up to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 (100 mA/g-NFA) and not more than 1.5 (300 mA/g-NFA); 
 2) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 0.2 (40 mA/g-NFA) and not more than 0.5 (100 mA/g-NFA); and 
 3) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 0.2 (40 mA/g-NFA) and not more than 0.5 (100 mA/g-NFA). 
 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , further comprising the steps of:
 4) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 0.5 (100 mA/g-NFA) and not more than 0.75 (150 mA/g-NFA); and   5) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 0.5 (100 mA/g-NFA) and not more than 0.75 (150 mA/g-NFA).   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , further comprising the steps of:
 6) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 0.75 (150 mA/g-NFA) and not more than 1.2 (240 mA/g-NFA); and   7) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 0.75 (150 mA/g-NFA) and not more than 1.2 (240 mA/g-NFA).   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising the steps of:
 8) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 1.2 (240 mA/g-NFA) and not more than 1.5 (300 mA/g-NFA); and   9) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 3.7-3.9 V at a C rate of not less than 1.2 (240 mA/g-NFA) and not more than 1.5 (300 mA/g-NFA).   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , further comprising the steps of:
 10) charging the cell from 3.7-3.9 V to maximum cell voltage of 4.2-4.3 V at a C rate of not less than 1.5 (300 mA/g-NFA) and not more than 2.0 (400 mA/g-NFA); and   11) discharging the cell from 4.2-4.3 V to 2.5 V at a C rate not less than 0.5 (100 mA/g-NFA) and not more than 1.5 (300 mA/g-NFA).   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the total time is less than 48 hours. 
     
     
         38 . A battery produced by the method of  claim 1 , wherein the battery has no less than 95% rated capacity retention after 100 0.33 C/−0.33 C cycles. 
     
     
         39 . The battery of  claim 38 , wherein the battery has no less than 80% rated capacity retention after 1000 0.33 C/−0.33 C cycles.
Join the waitlist — get patent alerts

Track US2021143391A1 — get alerts on status changes and closely related new filings.
We store only your email — no account needed. See our privacy policy.