Efficient Workflows for Detecting Li Depositions in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium deposition on anode surfaces can lead to fast capacity degradation and decreased safety properties of Li-ion cells. To avoid the critical aging mechanism of lithium deposition, its detection is essential. We present workflows for the efficient detection of Li deposition on electrode and cell level. The workflows are based on a variety of complementary advanced physico-chemical methods which were validated against each other for both graphite and graphite/Si electrodes: Electrochemical analysis, scanning electron microscopy, glow discharge-optical emission spectroscopy and neutron depth profiling, ex situ optical microscopy, in situ optical microscopy of cross-sectioned full cells, measurements in 3-electrode full cells, as well as 3D microstructurally resolved simulations. General considerations for workflows for analysis of battery cells and materials are discussed. The efficiency can be increased by parallel or serial execution of methods, stop criteria, and design of experiments planning. An important point in case of investigation of Li depositions are rest times during which Li can re-intercalate into the anode or react with electrolyte. Three workflows are presented to solve the questions on the occurrence of lithium deposition in an aged cell, the positions of lithium deposition in a cell, and operating conditions which avoid lithium depositions in a cell.