The application of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles calls for decreased cost, increased energy density, increased power density, as well as low-temperature and fast-charging capability. In regard to fast charging, it is generally understood that it is the kinetic overpotential at the graphite anode that limits the cycling rate in modern commercial battery formulations. In this work, we study the fast-charging capabilities of a series of doped and un-doped graphite samples from a commercial supplier, as part of a materials validation effort at Argonne National Laboratory. We combine materials characterization data from the raw samples with electrochemical characterization of graphite laminate electrodes in both half and full cell configurations to explore the causes of differences in rate performance and its impact on cycle life.

Acknowledgement:

We gratefully acknowledge the support from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) Vehicle Technologies Office. This work is conducted under the Cell Analysis, Modeling, and Prototyping (CAMP) Facility at Argonne National Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science Laboratory operated under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357.