Simulating dendrite growth in lithium batteries under cycling conditions

Abstract Studies have shown that the lifetime and performance of lithium batteries are greatly influenced by the charge/discharge cycles of the battery. The number of cycles over which a battery operates depends on the rate and depth of charge/discharge. Degradation in battery performance over multiple cycles is directly related to dendrite growth at the electrode-electrolyte interface in the battery. Understanding how cycling effects dendrite growth rates and morphology requires resolution of the chemical-physical processes at the electrode-electrolyte interface. In this study, a numerical model of dendrite growth at this electrode-electrolyte interface over multiple charge/discharge cycles is presented. In this work, dendrite growth over multiple charge/discharge cycles is simulated at the interfacial level where the effects on dendrite growth rate and morphology can be resolved. The simulations are able to predict qualitative dendrite morphologies presented in experimental studies, and the effects of fast charging scenarios on dendrite growth rate and morphology are discussed.