Advancements in prelithiation technology: transforming batteries from Li-shortage to Li-rich systems

The sufficient and reversible active lithium is the cornerstone for the operation of high-energy lithium-ion batteries. However, active lithium is inevitably depleted due to the formation of a solid electrolyte and the presence of irreversible side reactions. The shortage of lithium in optimally designed batteries not only leads to a depreciation of energy density but also deteriorates the electrode structure resulting in degradation of cycle life. Inspiringly, prelithiation technology that additionally compensates for lithium has been proposed and is playing an increasingly significant role in enhancing battery energy density and prolonging cycle life. Herein, guided by the factors that initiate lithium loss, the action mechanism and the effectiveness of prelithiation are scrutinized. Moreover, the emerging advanced prelithiation technologies based on anode/cathode materials, the key barriers, and the applicability at scale are systematically summarized and compared. Integrating the challenges and development trends aspires to provide a comprehensive prelithiated hybrid lithium replenishment and storage technology as a reference in the scale-up of prelithiation technologies. (© 2023 Wiley‐VCH GmbH)