Revealing Causes of Macroscale Heterogeneity in Lithium Ion Pouch Cells via Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction

Harry Charalambous, Daniel P. Abraham, Alison R. Dunlop, Stephen E. Trask, Andrew N. Jansen, Tanvir R. Tanim, Parameshwara R. Chinnam, Andrew M. Colclasure, Wenqian Xu, Andrey A. Yakovenko, Olaf J. Borkiewicz, Leighanne C. Gallington, Uta Ruett, Kamila M. Wiaderek, Yang Ren

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus Citations

Abstract

Heterogeneous battery performance is a critical issue for maximization of cell lifetime capacity and safety. Using high energy synchrotron X-ray diffraction, the influence of charge rate, voltage limit, uneven stack pressure, and gas generation on the lithium transport properties was quantified in single-layer graphite/LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co0.2O2 pouch cells. A freshly formatted cell tracked in operando during initial fast charge cycles indicated variable position-dependent performances, while lateral mapping showed a significant fast charge (6C) heterogeneity compared to slow charge (C/2). Pressure effects were non-dominant compared to charge rate. Maps of previously aged and rested cells indicate that lateral heterogeneity slowly equilibrates at rest, but regenerates upon further cycling at fast charge rate. Furthermore, an unformatted cell was mapped at charge and discharge during its first formation cycle to analyze the effect of byproduct gases on the heterogeneous lithium transport. Gas was observed as randomly interspersed “bubbles” which locally hindered lithium intercalation and caused significant heterogeneity. Electrode architectures and charging protocols that promote homogeneous intercalation are critical for predictable high-performance and long-life batteries.

Original languageAmerican English
Article number230253
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Power Sources
Volume507
DOIs
StatePublished - 30 Sep 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/JA-5700-79879

Keywords

  • Fast charge
  • Graphite
  • Heterogeneity
  • High voltage
  • NMC532
  • SEI outgassing

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