In this work a micro-scale model [4] [5] was used to investigate the onset of lithium plating during charging at low temperatures in commercial lithium-ion batteries. The model was parameterized and validated with materials from NMC-Graphite commercial cells. The cells were opened in a glovebox with controlled argon atmosphere and the transport properties of the electrode materials at different temperatures were measured by Potentiostatic Intermittent Titration (PITT) and Galvanostatic Intermittent Titration Technique (GITT). The mean particle size, thickness and porosities were determined by SEM microscopy (Figure 1a).
The model predictions of the onset temperature for lithium deposition on graphite electrodes were validated through experimental measurements on laboratory full cells. The reversible plating can be identified by the Li stripping plateau during discharge. Figure 2 shows the onset temperature (-10 °C) of lithium plating during CCCV charge at 1C. Irreversible plating on the graphite electrode was measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES).
The developed model is used to establish suitable operating conditions that avoid lithium plating in Li-ion batteries while maximizing charge rates and minimizing heating requirements.
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