Assessing the Impact of Thick Electrode Structure on the Fast Charge Performance of Lithium-Ion Batteries

The lithium-ion battery (LIB) is a key technology for inexpensive, renewable, and safe energy storage system, but there are a few challenges that need to be addressed to make LIB more efficient. One critical challenge is increasing both energy density and fast charging capability. Increasing electrode thickness can increase the energy density of lithium-ion batteries. However, increasing electrode thickness increases transport limitations and the risk of lithium plating, which limit safe fast charging capability. This work analyzes prospective improvements to the conventional lithium-ion cell electrode structure that may facilitate high energy density and fast charging capabilities. A 2D lithium-ion battery model is applied to five different cell designs to understand the impact of thick electrode structure on performance at different charge and discharge rates for a single cell. These five different cell designs consist of one conventional cell and four cells with electrodes modified by varied electrolyte channel arrangements. The simulated electrodes were taken as Li(Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3)O2 (NMC) for the cathode and graphite for the anode. The simulated electrolyte was 1 M lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) in 1:1 ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethylene carbonate (DEC). All five cells were simulated under discharge at C/10, C/2 and 1C followed by charge at 1C, 3C, and 5C with no rest time prior to charge. Adding electrolyte channels on the anode side was found to facilitate lithium ion transport and reduce the risk of lithium plating. Modification of both electrodes did not present any benefit compared to the conventional cell. Analysis of cell behavior based on mass transport Fourier number and a dimensionless mass flux parameter was performed to compare different electrodes at different charge and discharge conditions. These dimensionless parameters provide a means for the general assessment of prospective electrode structure modifications.