Investigation on gas generation of Li4Ti5O12/LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cells at elevated temperature

305

507

Gassing in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is a serious challenge, especially at high voltage and elevated temperature. In this study, we use On-line Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry (OEMS) and a two-compartment cell with a newly developed aluminum edge-seal to elucidate the origin of H 2 evolution in LIBs. We demonstrate that the new sealing is entirely impermeable for gaseous and liquid species, thus allowing us to measure the true H 2 evolution from H 2 O reduction at a graphite electrode, without interference from the lithium counter-electrode. We further report that graphite//NMC full-cells without any diffusion barrier between anode and cathode show enhanced H 2 generation, especially for high charging potentials and at elevated temperature. We propose that the diffusion of protic electrolyte oxidation species (R-H + ) from the cathode to the anode and their subsequent reduction is the origin of enhanced H 2 gassing. To prove this hypothesis, methanesulfonic acid is added to the electrolyte as a chemical source of protons. At the negative graphite electrode, all H + can be quantitatively reduced to H 2 . By the use of the electrolyte additives vinylene carbonate (VC) and lithium bis(oxalato) borate (LiBOB), less H 2 evolution is observed, since the reduction of both H 2 O and R-H + is hindered by a more effective SEI on graphite. Finally, we demonstrate that the Al-sealed diffusion barrier between anode and cathode can stop the diffusion of oxidation products to the anode and therefore essentially eliminates the generation of H 2 caused by high cathode potentials. years after the commercial introduction of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), a technological turning point is marked by the use of LIBs in battery electric vehicles (BEVs).1 In order to meet the high energy density demands for BEVs, high-voltage cathode materials are required, 2-4 so that it is essential to understand the degradation phenomena at high voltage, e.g., electrolyte oxidation and gas generation. Hydrogen (H 2 ) is one of the main gases found in lithium-ion cells after long term cycling or storage at elevated temperature. 5,6 H 2 gassing in LIBs is generally attributed to residual moisture, coming from improper drying of electrodes, separators and other cell components, as well as H 2 O contamination in the electrolyte. At the negative electrode, H 2 O can be reduced to form hydroxide and H 2 according to H 2 O + e − → OH − + 1 2 H 2 . Bernhard et al. 7 showed recently that an intact solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer derived from vinylene carbonate (VC) in the electrolyte is able to inhibit H 2 O reduction on the graphite surface. In contrast to graphite, lithium titanate (LTO) is generally believed to possess no SEI protection, since its lithiation potential (1.55 V vs. Li/Li + ) is too high to establish an effective SEI by reduction of electrolyte components. Thus, LTO is more prone to gassing from trace water. 8 In fact, pouch bag cells with LTO anodes frequently tend to swell during long term cycling or storage in the charged sta...

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confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Origin of H₂Evolution in LIBs: H₂O Reduction vs. Electrolyte Oxidation

Metzger

Strehle

Solchenbach

et al. 2016

305

507

“…There are several well-known failure modes or degradation processes in NMC electrodes, including "cross-over" of metal ions (Mn, Ni, Co) from the cathode to the anode, 6,7 micro-cracks in the particles during cycling, 8 loss of contact between particles, gas evolution, 9,10 phase transformations 11 and surface film formation. 12 We here shed light on yet another failure mechanism of NMC cathodes, triggered by the "cross-talk" between the electrodes, where species from the negative electrode dissolve into the electrolyte and deposit on the positive electrode.…”

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confidence: 99%

How the Negative Electrode Influences Interfacial and Electrochemical Properties of LiNi_1/3Co_1/3Mn_1/3O₂Cathodes in Li-Ion Batteries

Björklund

Brandell

Hahlin

et al. 2017

The cycle life of LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 (NMC) based cells are significantly influenced by the choice of the negative electrode. Electrochemical testing and post mortem surface analysis are here used to investigate NMC electrodes cycled vs. either Li-metal, graphite or Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 (LTO) as negative electrodes. While NMC-LTO and NMC-graphite cells show small capacity fading over 200 cycles, NMC-Li-metal cell suffers from rapid capacity fading accompanied with an increased voltage hysteresis despite the almost unlimited access of lithium. X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) results show that no structural degradation occurs on the positive electrode even after >200 cycles, however, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results shows that the composition of the surface layer formed on the NMC cathode in the NMC-Li-metal cell is largely different from that of the other NMC cathodes (cycled in the NMC-graphite or NMC-LTO cells). Furthermore, it is shown that the surface layer thickness on NMC increases with the number of cycles, caused by continuous electrolyte degradation products formed at the Li-metal negative electrode and then transferred to NMC positive electrode. Li-ion batteries (LiBs) are widely used in applications where rechargeability of high energy density storage units is required, such as portable devices including consumer electronics, vehicles and space applications. It is beneficial that the components are as light-weight as possible for portable devices, thereby decreasing the energy required to transport the device. One widely used positive electrode material contributing to high energy density is LiNi 1/3 Co 1/3 Mn 1/3 O 2 (NMC), either operating at a higher potential or having a larger practical specific capacity than the classical LiMn 2 O 4 and LiFePO 4 materials.1,2 NMC is also less costly than the LiCoO 2 alternative due to the decreased cobalt content.In commercial cells, NMC electrodes are most often cycled vs. graphite negative electrodes which has a low working potential, enabling a large potential difference between the electrodes. However, the low working potential is outside of the electrochemical stability window of most common electrolytes, leading to formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the anode surface. A corresponding but thinner layer could also form on the side of the positive electrode depending on the working potential of the cathode. 3,4 Lithium is consumed during SEI formation, which results in a decrease in the cell capacity and an increase in the cell resistance. The problems caused by SEI layer formation can be resolved by changing the negative electrode to an electrode working at a higher potential -within the electrochemical stability window of the electrolytesuch as lithium titanate (Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 ; LTO). Although the increased working potential decreases the energy density of the cell, cycle life is generally increased. The Li-metal anode is another negative electrode that is commonly used as counter/reference electrode, at le...

“…15,19 Meanwhile, other researchers state that residual moisture is a significant source of cell degradation. 6,8,11,14 Given the potential for reduced cell performance, it is important to understand the source of gas generation so as to avoid it to the extent necessary with proper manufac- * Electrochemical Society Active Member.…”

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confidence: 99%

Investigation of the Gas Generation in Lithium Titanate Anode Based Lithium Ion Batteries

Fell

Sun

Hallac

et al. 2015

Lithium titanate (LTO), Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 is a promising material for energy storage due to its high-rate capabilities and safety. However, gas generation, which can be observed under high-temperature operation, present a challenge to the large-scale application of lithium ion batteries made from LTO anodes. Here we analyzed sources of gas generation in an LTO system through isotopic tagging of primary suspected sources of H 2 . Specifically, we added small amounts of heavy water (D 2 O) to the electrolyte, D 2 O to the LTO electrode, or deuterated dimethyl carbonate (DMC) to the electrolyte. Upon cycling, the isotopic tagging method enables the separation of deuterated from non-deuterated gas products using combined gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) analysis. The results demonstrate that cell performance and generation of H 2 are both strongly related to moisture content within the cells. Cells with deuterated DMC in the electrolyte show negligible breakdown as determined by the lack of H-D/D 2 gas production when compared to samples that contain D 2 O added into the electrode or electrolyte. These results indicate that the primary source of gas generation in LTO-based cells is residual moisture in the electrodes and electrolyte, reinforcing the importance of low-moisture processing conditions for LTO-based lithium ion batteries. The rechargeable lithium ion battery is one of the most important energy storage technologies today as the power source in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and full electric vehicles (EVs) as well as for large-scale storage of renewable energy.1 Current lithium ion batteries typically utilize a graphite anode because of the low potential vs Li, good cycle life and good rate capability. However, safety is a major issue that hinders the wide scale usage of lithium ion batteries in automobiles. At elevated temperatures using graphite anodes, for example, the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) between the non-aqueous electrolyte and the graphite surface becomes less stable and may even decompose at temperatures as low as 60• C. 2,3 Lithium ion batteries containing lithium titanate (LTO) anodes, Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 , are promising energy storage systems for their higher rate capabilities, safety, and long cycle-life, owing to their zero volumetric growth during lithiation 4,5 and higher anode voltage compared to graphite. Gas generation is a common phenomenon leading to the degradation of battery performance in Li-ion batteries. In LTO specifically, the gas generation and associated swelling, which are accelerated under high-temperature operation, present a challenge to the widespread application of lithium ion batteries made from LTO anodes. 6,7 Much research has focused on gas evolution in LTO anode based cells. It is well known that much of the gas generation can be attributed to chemical decomposition and redox decomposition of the electrolyte solvents on the anode or cathode. A well-defined mechanism for gas generation from LTO based cell...