Energy Storage Science and Technology

   

Detecting hazard lithium plating on anodes for lithium-ion batteriesA review on the in-situ methods

Wenyuan Weng1(), Bin Shen2(), Jiangong Zhu1(), Yang Wang2, Huapeng Lu2, Wuliyasu He2, Haonan Liu1, Haifeng Dai1, Xuezhe Wei1   

  1. 1.School of Mechanical Engineering, Tongji University, 201804, Shanghai, China
    2.Volvo Car Technology (Shanghai) Co. , Ltd, 201804, Shanghai, China
  • Received:2024-03-14 Revised:2024-04-05
  • Contact: Bin Shen, Jiangong Zhu E-mail:2332933@tongji.edu.cn;bin.shen@volvocars.com;zhujiangong@tongji.edu.cn

Abstract:

Lithium-ion batteries play a pivotal role in achieving carbon neutrality goals through their widespread applications in electric vehicles, portable electronics, and energy storage systems. However, lithium plating - a critical phenomenon occurring at the anode during charging - has emerged as a significant challenge compromising both safety and performance. This paper systematically investigates the formation mechanisms and influencing factors of lithium plating, revealing that the synergistic effects of battery design flaws, extreme operating conditions (such as low-temperature environment, fast charging and overcharging) can drive the anode potential below 0 V vs.Li/Li+, thereby triggering metallic lithium deposition. The irreversible nature of deposited lithium leads to three critical consequences: continuous thickening of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer, accumulation of "dead lithium," and dendritic lithium growth, collectively contributing to capacity degradation and thermal runaway risks.Addressing the detection challenges, this study provides a comprehensive classification and critical review of existing technologies from an in-situ detection perspective. Quantitative detection methodologies encompass electrochemical characterization techniques (like differential voltage analysis, differential voltage relaxation analysis, incremental capacity analysis, reference electrode method and coulombic efficiency analysis) and physical characterization approaches (like nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and X-ray technology). Qualitative detection strategies involve electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and thickness/pressure monitoring systems. Compared to post-mortem analysis requiring battery disassembly, these advanced methods offer novel insights for real-time monitoring applications.Innovatively, the research establishes a dual-dimensional safety assessment framework encompassing thermal safety and performance safety. The thermal safety evaluation focuses on heat generation characteristics and thermal stability thresholds during lithium plating, while the performance safety assessment quantifies capacity fade rates and impedance growth patterns. This systematic approach provides theoretical foundations for developing high-safety, long-cycle-life batteries.Finally, to address the shortcomings in current in-situ lithium plating detection, this paper proposes the following suggestions: 1) Establish a systematic definition of battery safety standards and correlate lithium plating detection with thermal and performance safety; 2) Combine electrochemical detection with big data to extract and fuse useful features for online safety diagnosis; 3) Develop innovative in-situ quantitative methods for visual monitoring and quantifying complex internal reactions. providing scientific guidance to break through the bottlenecks in in-situ lithium plating detection technology.

Key words: lithium-ion battery, lithium plating, in-situ detection, battery safety, thermal runaway

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