Metallic Li deposited
on the anode is known to induce short circuiting
and degradation of the charge capacity of Li-ion batteries. However,
no reliable technique is currently available to observe such Li metal
without removing the case of the battery. An elemental analysis using
muonic X-rays is proposed here because of its unique properties of
nondestructive measurement, high sensitivity to light elements, and
depth resolution. We demonstrated that this technique can be applied
to detection of Li deposited on the surface of an anode containing
Li ions, using a fully charged anode with Li deposited due to overcharge
in an Al-laminated plastic pouch. The basis for the detection method
is the difference in the atomic Coulomb capture ratio of the negative
muons between the Li metal and ions. We have found, as a result, that
the intensity of the muonic X-rays from metallic Li was approximately
50 times higher than that from Li ions. Consequently, the Li metal
on the anode was clearly distinguishable from the intercalated Li
ions in the anode. Furthermore, measurements of two overcharged anodes
with 1.3 and 2.7 mg of metallic Li deposition, respectively, indicated
that this technique is suitable for quantitative analysis. Distribution
analysis is also possible, as shown by a preliminary observation on
an overcharged anode from the back side. Therefore, this technique
offers a new approach to the analysis of Li deposited on the anode
of a Li-ion pouch battery.