1 M Biphenyl in THF

This product is biphenyl (Bp) solution in anhydrous THF (1 mol/L) is a precursor reagent that could be easily handled to prepare prelithiation or presodiation reagent. By direct reaction of Li metal, it forms a strong reducing reagent of Li-Bp. The resulting Li-Bp/THF reagent has the redox potential of 0.41 V vs. Li/Li⁺, which is applicable to prelithiate most of the active materials for Li ion batteries, such as Sn, Sb, P, S, SiO and other metal oxide. On the other hand, a presodiation reagent can be prepared by reacting Bp/THF solution with Na metal. Na-Bp/THF reagent can be used to presodiate hard carbon, a promising anode material in Na ion batteries.

Suggested Directions for use:

• Step 1 Preparation of Prelithiation/presodiation reagent

Before use of Li metal, scrub the lithium surface to remove oxide and nitride layers.
To prepare 1 M Li-Bp/THF reagent, > 0.07 g of Li metal is added into every 10 ml of 1 M BP/THF solution
To prepare 1 M Na-Bp/THF reagent, > 0.23 g of Na metal is added into every 10 ml of 1 M BP/THF solution

• Step 2 Prelithiation/presodiation of electrodes

For a 1 cm diameter electrode with 1-3 mg acitve material per cm², soak (10-60 min, times will vary with material) the electrode in ∼0.5-1 mL of prelithiation/presodiation reagent. Discard the solution and then wash the electrode twice with THF. Longer prelithiation/presodiation time may cause electrode structure deformation, leading to a decreased discharge/charge capacity.