Alkaline batteries are a mainstay of the primary energy storage market, with LR6 (AA) batteries selling in the billions of cells per year. In addition, Lithium-Ion Batteries (LiBs) have become ubiquitous in modern technologies, such as in the burgeoning electric vehicle and consumer electronics markets. In both cases, the commercial cells undergo a “break-in” period after initial cycling period. In the case of alkaline cells, it has been noted that impedance changes drastically after initial discharge of a pristine cell [1]. After manufacturing the LiB, a period of break-in occurs wherein the battery experiences rapid changes in properties, such as capacity and stress [2], before leveling off to a stable value. Most research in these commercial cells analyze the full cycle life of the battery and have little regard for the initial break-in period. However, understanding and controlling break-in conditions could determine future performance of the cell. In this study, we use electrochemical acoustic and impedance spectroscopy measurements to analyze break-in of commercial AA and LiBs. We further analyze how break-in conditions, such as varying the rate of current, affect the overall performance of the battery.

[1] Hsieh, A.G. et al. “Electrochemical-acoustic time of flight: in operando correlation of physical dynamics with battery charge and health.” Energy Environ. Sci. (2015) 8, 1569-1577.

[2] Liu, Xinyi M., and Craig B. Arnold. "Effects of Cycling Ranges on Stress and Capacity Fade in Lithium-Ion Pouch Cells." Journal of The Electrochemical Society 163.13 (2016): A2501-A2507.