Onboard early detection and mitigation of lithium plating in fast-charging batteries

Abstract

Fast-charging is considered as one of the most desired features needed for lithium-ion batteries to accelerate the mainstream adoption of electric vehicles. However, current battery charging protocols mainly consist of conservative rate steps to avoid potential hazardous lithium plating and its associated parasitic reactions. A highly sensitive onboard detection method could enable battery fast-charging without reaching the lithium plating regime. Here, we demonstrate a novel differential pressure sensing method to precisely detect the lithium plating event. By measuring the real-time change of cell pressure per unit of charge (dP/dQ) and comparing it with the threshold defined by the maximum of dP/dQ during lithium-ion intercalation into the negative electrode, the onset of lithium plating before its extensive growth can be detected with high precision. In addition, we show that by integrating this differential pressure sensing into the battery management system (BMS), a dynamic self-regulated charging protocol can be realized to effectively extinguish the lithium plating triggered by low temperature (0 °C) while the conventional static charging protocol leads to catastrophic lithium plating at the same condition. We propose that differential pressure sensing could serve as an early nondestructive diagnosis method to guide the development of fast-charging battery technologies.

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

“…24 It is well known that the volume expansion of the Gr lattice due to Li + intercalation is as large as 13.1%. 23,25–28 Such an expansion of Gr particles would lower the porosity of the Gr anode, raise the bulk modulus (eqn (2)) and increase the sound speed (eqn (3)). 29,30 where K and P are the bulk modulus and porosity, respectively.…”

Decoding Internal Stress‐Induced Micro‐Short Circuit Events in Sulfide‐Based All‐Solid‐State Li‐Metal Batteries via Operando Pressure Measurements

“…Mechanistic detection techniques can provide in situ, non‐destructive, and highly sensitive electrochemo‐mechanical response information. [ 13 ] In liquid batteries, there have been many reports on operando battery pressure measurements for detecting Li plating, [ 13 ] diagnosing capacity fading, [ 14 ] and elucidating reaction mechanisms. [ 15 ] Mechanistic detection techniques are particularly advantageous for ASSBs due to the more pronounced pressure changes caused by their intrinsic rigidity.…”

A Nonflammable Electrolyte for High-Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries

“…Unfortunately, the stable operation of high-voltage LMBs suffers from great challenges from the electrochemical instability of electrolyte solvents with both the Li anode and high-voltage cathodes, − which significantly limits their practical application. For example, the notoriously higher reactivity of Li metal than that of graphite will cause severe and continuous parasitic reactions with electrolyte solvents, causing persistent consumption of both active Li and electrolytes along with the formation of “dead” Li (i.e., Li metal regions which are electronically disconnected from the current collector) as well as dendrite growth. , Moreover, the catalytic surface of a transition-metal oxide cathode (e.g., LiNi 0.8 Co 0.1 Mn 0.1 O 2 , NCM811) easily attacks the electrolyte solvents under high-voltage conditions, , leading to oxide-mediated electrolyte oxidation and an undesirable cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI). These issues from both the Li anode and high-voltage cathodes considerably restrict the cycling life of full batteries and cause safety concerns during practical application.…”