Investigation of The Failure Mechanisms of Li-Ion Pouch Cells with Si/Graphite Composite Negative Electrodes and Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Conducting Additive

Silicon-Graphite composite electrodes are a rapidly developing area of research and commercialization. Increasing the energy density of current Li-ion battery technology can be done by simply creating silicon-graphite composite electrodes. It is well known that the failure of these silicon-graphite composite electrodes stems from the expansion of the silicon during cycling that causes mechanical degradation, excessive SEI formation, and electrode shift loss. Here we explore the use and capacity loss mechanisms of a silicon-graphite composite anode employing CMC/SBR binder used in conjunction with single wall carbon nanotubes. These nanotubes are thought to be effective in increasing mechanical resiliency of the electrodes and increase the electrical connectivity between particles within the formed electrode. When the Si/graphite electrode cycles, it is believed that the SWCNTs help keep the active particles electrically connected and, hence, electrochemically active. Through dV/dQ analysis and in situ pressure monitoring, the pouch cells studied here are shown to exhibit minimal loss of active mass in the positive and negative electrodes but experience capacity loss due to continued negative electrode SEI growth leading to lithium inventory or shift loss.