Lithium plating in lithium-ion batteries

The lifetime and safety of lithium-ion batteries is a key requirement for successful market introduction of electro mobility as well as for the application in stationary use. Lithium plating is an important effect in lithium-ion batteries, leading both to ageing as well as safety risks. The aim of this thesis is to achieve a better understanding of lithium plating using an experimental as well as a simulation approach. Experiments were performed on various types of lithium-ion batteries using changing operation conditions to gain knowledge of different influence factors on lithium plating. Post-mortem analysis was conducted on selected cells in order to examine the deposition process of metallic lithium. Furthermore, a physico-chemical model was developed and parameterised to simulate lithium plating and a validation is given by comparison with experimental data. The results illustrate impressively, how helpful a carefully parameterised physico-chemical model can be to design charging strategies as well as battery materials to prevent lithium plating.