Balancing Charging Efficiency and Thermal Safety: A Comparative Analysis of Multistage Constant Current Charging Protocols

Abstract

The fast charging of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is crucial for electric vehicle applications yet poses thermal safety challenges. This research delves into the effects of current switching frequency (CSF) within multistage constant current charging (MSCC) protocols on LIBs thermal performance. By integrating electrochemical-thermal model simulations with experimental validation, we reveal that increasing CSF enhances heat dissipation, leading to lower battery temperatures postcharging. Notably, considering the design cost, an 8SCC protocol emerges as the most effective, reducing surface temperatures by approximately 1.5 °C compared to a 2SCC protocol, without compromising charging efficiency. This study provides insights into optimizing MSCC protocols for LIBs, balancing fast charging with thermal stability, which is pivotal for the advancement of high-performance energy storage systems.