Method for cycling lithium ion batteries having anodes containing prelithiated silicon

A method for cycling lithium ion batteries, comprising:

• providing a lithium ion battery comprising a cathode, an anode, a separator and an electrolyte, wherein the anode contains prelithiated silicon having a degree of prelithiation α1 of from 5 to 50% and the anode is only partially lithiated during full charging of the lithium ion battery by a lithiation capacity of silicon being utilized to a degree of lithiation α2 of from 5 to 50% by the partial lithiation of the anode during the full charging of the lithium ion battery, wherein a total degree of lithiation α of the silicon is from 10 to 75%, wherein the total degree of lithiation α is a sum of the degree of prelithiation α1 and the degree of lithiation α2, where figures in % are based on a maximum lithiation capacity of silicon;
• wherein the degree of prelithiation α1 of silicon refers to lithiation of silicon before or during formation of the lithium ion battery and before cycling the lithium ion battery;
• and wherein the degree of lithiation α2 refers to the proportion of the lithiation capacity of silicon which is occupied as a result of the partial lithiation of the anode during charging when the cycling of the lithium ion battery occurs.