Phase-Field Modeling of Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) Cracking in Lithium Batteries

Abstract

The formation of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) can cause battery capacity fade and increase cell internal resistance, while inhibiting further electrolyte decomposition. Lithium-ion diffusion during lithiation and de-lithiation can lead to the stress evolution as well as crack propagation of the SEI. This is one of the major factors that shorten the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries. Therefore, coupling the stress evolution and crack propagation in SEI layer during the lithium ion diffusion is of an important significance to improve the understanding of lithium-ion battery. In this paper, a phase field model is developed to simulate the stress evolution and crack propagation during the lithium ion diffusion. Then the model is applied to study the SEI layer formed on the LiMn 2 O 4 electrode. The simulation results indicate the crack propagation patterns in the SEI layer during lithium ion diffusion.

A Hybrid Phase Field Model for Fracture Induced by Lithium Diffusion in Electrode Particles of Li-ion Batteries

“…In addition, by the arrival of concentration front to the vicinity of the crack tips, the concentration distribution in electrode becomes nonuniform and a very high accumulation of c is observed at the tips. This is mainly because that Li-ions transfer from lower hydrostatic stress regions towards higher hydrostatic stress regions based on (12), which was reported in [7,27,13]. Contrary to the c distribution, the distribution of hydrostatic stress becomes uniformed by time evolution.…”

“…Zuo et al[26] proposed a PFM coupling Li diffusion, finite deformation, stress evolution with crack propagation to study spherical Si electrodes in LIBs. Guan et al[27] studied the stress evolution and crack propagation in the SEI layer formed on the LiMn 2 O 4…”

Multi‐Physical Field Simulation: A Powerful Tool for Accelerating Exploration of High‐Energy‐Density Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

“…Once the concentration of Li‐ion is localized at a certain point, the induced stress gradient damages the CEI layer by producing some cracks. Guan et al [ 119 ] investigated the behavior of crack propagation between the nucleated cracks on the CEI layer. As shown in Figure 15h, higher stress is preferentially concentrated on the nearest points between two cracks.…”

“…h) The stress distribution near the developing cracks in SEI on LiMn 2 O 4 cathode. Reproduced with permission [119]. Copyright 2018, The Electrochemical Society.…”

Toward safe and rapid battery charging: Design optimal fast charging strategies thorough a physics‐based model considering lithium plating

“…Therefore, it has been widely used in battery optimization, 2,22,23 data-driven model studies, 24,25 and comprehensive degradation mechanisms studies. 1,2,26 Battery degradation models have been developed to increase the prediction of battery simulation, such as thermal effect, 26,27 mechanical stress, 28 SEI formation, [29][30][31] lithium plating, 8,32,33 lithium stripping, 34,35 electrode volume change, 36 and capacity fade. 37 In our previous work, a multi-objective optimization framework was developed and applied to study battery design and degradation.…”