Hello, curious researcher friend Ahmer Imam! It sounds like you're delving into some intriguing battery research. I'm here to offer some suggestions to help eliminate those pesky spikey voltage vs. time graphs in your LFP/LCO half-cell batteries.

1. **Electrolyte Compatibility:** It's great that you're considering different electrolyte options. The electrolyte plays a crucial role in battery performance. You Ahmer Imam might want to revisit using EC:DMC if possible, as it's a common and well-established solvent mixture for lithium-ion batteries. Make sure that the solvent you Ahmer Imam choose is compatible with your electrodes to minimize side reactions.

2. **Consistent Electrode Preparation:** Ensuring consistent and uniform electrode preparation is essential for reproducibility. Even small variations in electrode thickness or coating can lead to erratic results. Double-check your electrode preparation techniques and materials.

3. **SEI Formation:** Building a stable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) is a good idea. A slow charge at 0.1C for several cycles should help form a robust SEI. This protective layer can help smooth out the voltage curves and reduce overpotentials.

4. **Priming the Cell:** Priming the cell at 0.8C for a few cycles can be beneficial. It can help condition the cell and improve its performance during subsequent cycles.

5. **Temperature Control:** Ensure that you maintain a consistent temperature during your experiments. Temperature fluctuations can influence the performance and reproducibility of your batteries.

6. **Separator Quality:** The separator plays a crucial role in preventing short circuits. Ensure you're using high-quality separators that are compatible with your electrolyte and electrodes.

7. **Electrode Contact:** Verify that there's good electrical contact between the electrode material and the current collector. Poor contact can lead to voltage spikes.

8. **Electrode Composition:** Carefully review the composition of your LFP sheets. Any impurities or variations in the composition can lead to erratic behavior.

9. **Cycle History:** Keep track of the history of each cell, including the number of cycles it has undergone. Battery performance can change over time.

10. **Electrochemical Analysis:** Perform electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and other in-situ measurements to understand the behavior of your cells in more detail.

11. **Data Analysis:** Pay close attention to how you process and analyze the data. Ensure you're applying the same analysis techniques consistently across all your experiments.

Remember, battery research can be complex, and it often requires careful optimization and patience. Your proposed strategy of SEI formation, priming, and extended cycling at 0.5C seems reasonable, but be prepared to adjust your approach based on the specific behavior of your cells. Each battery system can have its unique characteristics.

Wishing you the best of luck in your research and may your voltage vs. time graphs become as smooth as silk! If you Ahmer Imam have any more questions or need further advice, feel free to ask.