Session: 09-01-04: Electrochemical Energy Storage and Conversion Systems IV

Paper Number: 167230

Understanding the Influence of Temporal Temperature Evolution on Li-Ion Battery Degradation Mechanisms 

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have gained popularity for their high energy density and fast charging capabilities, but they suffer from capacity fade due to unwanted reactions leading to the various degradation mechanisms. Temperature is one of the factors that significantly affect the performance, safety, and lifespan of lithium-ion batteries. Leng et al. (2015) used an electrochemistry-based electrical model (ECBE) to study the performance degradation rate of individual components in prismatic LIBs across an operating temperature range of 25–55 °C. Their study revealed that at elevated temperatures, capacity fade rate increases mainly due to electrode degradation and increased impedance. Kuntz et al. (2021) investigated commercial 18650 cells aged under a battery electric vehicle (BEV) profile at -20°C and 45°C. Their findings indicated that solid electrolyte interface (SEI) growth is the main degradation mechanism at elevated temperatures, while lithium plating is the dominant one at low temperatures. Similarly, Zhang et al. (2022) analyzed the combined effects of C-rate and operating temperature on commercial cells. Their study showed that lithium plating is the dominant degradation mechanism at low temperatures due to sluggish lithium-ion diffusion, whereas high temperatures accelerate the electrolyte decomposition, leading to excessive SEI formation and increased internal resistance.

Despite these advancements, there is a gap in understanding how the temporal temperature evolution of LIB under different operating conditions correlates with specific degradation mechanisms. The current study addresses this gap by investigating the relationship between temporal temperature evolution and the onset and progression of degradation mechanisms in LIBs. Specifically, this study aims to identify thermal signatures (i.e., change in temporal temperature evolution linked to degradation) associated with specific degradation pathways. To achieve this goal, a controlled experiment is conducted on pouch cells at ambient temperatures of 0°C under three different thermal conditions: (i) a cell with insulation exhibiting large temperature swing during charge/discharge (ii) a cell tested under typical thermal condition in an environmental chamber exhibiting moderate temperature swing and operation (iii) a cell with a heatsink applied to its surface to minimize the temperature swing. All tests are conducted by cycling the pouch cells at 2C constant current discharge and 1C constant charge followed by constant voltage charge. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and Reference Performance Test (RPT) are performed at a certain interval during cycling experiment to assess the degradation modes, while thermocouples are attached to the cell surface to monitor cell temperature variations with time and aging. Furthermore, post-mortem characterization is performed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to analyze microstructural changes in the porous electrodes. By linking specific temporal temperature evolution patterns to dominant degradation mechanisms, this study aims to enhance understanding of thermal dynamics on battery aging and use of thermal signatures for identifying specific degradation pathways.

References:

F. Leng, C. M. Tan, and M. Pecht, "Effect of temperature on the aging rate of Li-ion battery operating above room temperature," Sci. Rep., vol. 5, p. 12967, Aug. 2015. doi: 10.1038/srep12967.

P. Kuntz, O. Raccurt, P. Azaïs, K. Richter, T. Waldmann, M. Wohlfahrt-Mehrens, M. Bardet, A. Buzlukov, and S. Genies, "Identification of degradation mechanisms by post-mortem analysis for high power and high energy commercial Li-ion cells after electric vehicle aging," Batteries, vol. 7, no. 4, p. 48, 2021. doi: 10.3390/batteries7040048.

J. G. Qu, Z. Y. Jiang, and J. F. Zhang, "Investigation on lithium-ion battery degradation induced by combined effect of current rate and operating temperature during fast charging," J. Energy Storage, vol. 52, p. 104811, Aug. 2022. doi: 10.1016/j.est.2022.104811.

Presenting Author: Parisa Akhtari Zavareh University of Alabama

Presenting Author Biography: Graduate Students - PhD
B.Sc. and M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, University of Malaya
Parisa Akhtari Zavareh is a doctoral student at UA. She has prior research experience in mechanical design and manufacturing resulting in journal publications. Currently, she is conducting research on li-ion batteries using simulations and experiments to improve their life, performance, and safety.

Authors:

Parisa Akhtari Zavareh University of Alabama
Krishna Shah University of Alabama