In situ observation of lithium dendrite on the electrode in a lithium-ion battery

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4239.2015.01.007

Abstract

Abstract: Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the state-of-the-art power sources for portable electronic devices. Furthermore, LIBs have now emerged as the most promising power source for electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles. LIBs have some safety problems, such as the formation of lithium dendrite which can cause internal short-circuiting. In this paper, the cyclic performance of electrode in commercial lithium-ion battery is studied with a macro-micro experiment. Electrochemical experiment is carried at room temperature with small current G and the generation, growth, dissolution and residue of lithium dendrite are observed. It reveals that lithium dendrite can be formed not only under large-current overcharge or low-temperature charge but also under small current and at room temperature. It has been found that lithium dendrite appears in the late charge, stretching straightly, and its tip topography remains unchanged. Lithium dendrite begins dissolving when discharge, whose tip morphology still unchanged, and dead lithium residues on the electrode after fully discharge.

Key words: lithium-ion battery, in situ observation, lithium dendrite, dead lithium

CLC Number:

TM911

ZHU Jianyu, FENG Jiemin, GUO Zhansheng. In situ observation of lithium dendrite on the electrode in a lithium-ion battery[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2015, 4(1): 66-71.

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