An Initial Exploration of Coupled Transient Mechanical and Electrochemical Behaviors in Lithium Ion Batteries

Abstract

Lithium-ion batteries represent a dominant technology in the current energy storage market. However, many aspects of these batteries are still poorly understood, and proper engineering of these aspects will lead to increased cycle life and performance parameters. In particular, the electrode/electrolyte interface is still an actively researched topic and is notoriously difficult to study. An ultrasound acoustic characterization technique is introduced to probe the electrode/electrolyte interface in operando using signal amplitude analysis. This technique gives insight into lithium ion concentration accumulation and depletion at the electrode/electrolyte interface, and these findings are consistent with Dualfoil model simulations.

Quantitative Ultrasound Spectroscopy for Screening Cylindrical Lithium‐Ion Batteries for Second‐Life Applications

“…[48][49][50] In fact, it has been shown that changes in the graphite negative electrode and the graphite/electrolyte interface dominate the ultrasonic response of the battery, as the changes in the positive electrode material and thickness are negligible compared to that of the anode. [51] Most literature has focused on analyzing waves that propagate throughout the flat, layered structure of pouch-type LIBs. However, alternative methodologies, such as guided waves, leverage the battery geometry as a waveguide, thereby minimizing energy loss and covering a substantial portion of the surface area.…”

Decoupling of the anode and cathode ultrasonic responses to the state of charge of a lithium-ion battery

“…16 Based on that ultrasonic methods for SoC estimation have been developed and have soon become a hot spot in this field. [17][18][19][20][21][22] However, there is still a fundamental problem unsolved in this field: is the measured ultrasonic response to SoC due to anode or cathode change? In most previous literature reports, the LIB cells were treated as a whole, because the cells are composed of multiple layers of cathodes, anodes, separators and current collectors.…”

“…16 Based on that ultrasonic methods for SoC estimation have been developed and have soon become a hot spot in this field. 17–22…”

Microstructure and mechanical properties of electrochemically cycled ice‐templated Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 sintered anodes

“…This results in considering both the electrochemical and mechanical properties of the electrode during the earliest stages, and information is needed on relevant process-property coupling. [26][27][28][29] As an example, both energy density and mechanical strength of sintered electrodes can be enhanced by reducing electrode porosity. 30 However, reduction in porosity increases pore tortuosity, 31 enhancing resistance to ion transport through the electrode microstructure and reducing capacity delivered at increased rates and roundtrip efficiency.…”

“…Sintered electrodes must satisfy the multifunctional role of meeting both electrochemical and mechanical demands of the brittle porous thin film of active material. This results in considering both the electrochemical and mechanical properties of the electrode during the earliest stages, and information is needed on relevant process–property coupling 26‐29 . As an example, both energy density and mechanical strength of sintered electrodes can be enhanced by reducing electrode porosity 30 .…”