Assessment of Core-Shell and Agglomerate Particle Design for All-Solid-State Batteries

Abstract

All-solid state lithium polymer batteries are promising next-generation batteries with high safety and energy density. Their success depends on an improved design with a tailored cathode manufacturing process. To facilitate a knowledge-driven optimal design of the cathode, a model-based analysis on the impact of the cathode particle structure on the electrochemical cell performance wais conducted. During production of solid-state cathodes, small active material particles such as lithium-iron phosphate tend to form large agglomerates with inner electrolyte-filled pores which have significant effect on transport properties within a secondary particle. Therefore, a battery cell model with secondary particles and optionally with a core-shell structure was developed and evaluated. Discharge performance was shown to be more strongly impacted by changing the electrolyte fraction inside the particle than by changing the size of the electrolyte core within the secondary particle. A core-shell structure has a positive impact on the discharge performance and should be preferred for high power application. In contrast, cells with homogeneous agglomerate particles show better performance at low discharge rates. Thus, they are recommended for high energy and low power applications. The results of this study highlight the potentials of tailored production process for next-generation batteries.

Conceptual Design of Solid-State Li-Battery for Urban Air Mobility

“…So far, few studies have been conducted on the microstructure modelling of ASSB with physics-based modelling. Cistjakov et al 16 modelled the influence of cathode particle structures on discharge behaviour in a polymer-based battery with agglomerate and core-shell particles. He demonstrated that cells with homogeneous agglomerate particles have the highest capacity at low C-rates.…”