Beneficial Effects of Three-Dimensional Structured Electrodes for the Fast Charging of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Lithium-ion batteries are the dominating electrochemical energy storage technology for battery electric vehicles. However, additional optimization is needed to meet the requirements of the automotive industry regarding energy density, cost, safety, and fast charging performance. In conventional electrode designs, there is a trade-off between energy density and rate capability. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) structuring techniques, such as laser perforation, were proposed to optimize both properties at the same time and remarkable improvements in fast-charging performance have been demonstrated. In this work, we investigate the effect of structuring techniques on the thermal properties and electrochemical performance of the battery using microstructure-resolved simulations. Particular attention will be paid to the heat evolution and lithium plating during fast charging of the batteries. According to our results, 3D structuring is able to reduce the overall cell resistance by improving the electrolyte transport. This has a positive impact on the fast charging capability of the cell and, moreover, reduces the danger of lithium plating.

Multiphysics Electrochemical Impedance Simulations of Complex Multiphase Graphite Electrodes

“…Tunnels have been introduced into cathodes and anodes ,, to enhance the ion transport in electrolytes for high-rate operations. The effect of including tunnels has also been studied in simulations . Here, we present the simulated electrochemical performance of the two electrodes, each of which has a tunnel through the middle.…”

“…Recently, electrochemical simulations explicitly considering complex electrode microstructures were presented to simulate the EIS behavior of electrodes. − In the work of Lauri et al, reconstructed 3D complex geometries that contained active particles, binders, and pores were directly used in solving relevant electrochemical governing equations. The total response current included reactive and capacitive currents on the particle surfaces.…”

“…As unrolled later, the phase-transition processes in each individual graphite particle in the reconstructed microstructures are captured in our simulations. The use of the phase field model in the graphite particles makes our work different from those using Fickian diffusion for graphite (e.g., as in ref ). To the best of our knowledge, this series , of SBM simulations is the first work that explicitly simulates phase transition in every graphite particle in complex microstructures.…”

“…The effect of including tunnels has also been studied in simulations. 34 Here, we present the simulated electrochemical performance of the two electrodes, each of which has a tunnel through the middle. Figure 2(c) and (d) shows the microstructures of E_II and E_IV, respectively, each with a straight tunnel along the thickness direction.…”

Fast‐Charging Strategies for Lithium‐Ion Batteries: Advances and Perspectives

“…Through microstructural analysis simulations, molecular dynamics (MD), and density functional theory (DFT), the Li + transport behavior can be deeply understood, which is of great significance for the design and system optimization of fast‐charging materials. Danner's team [77] used microstructural analytical simulations to study the effect of structural techniques on the thermal and electrochemical performance of battery. The 3D structure can reduce the overall battery resistance by reducing the risk of Li plating.…”