Effect of Fast-Charging on Ageing of Energy-Optimized Automotive LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂/Graphite Prismatic Lithium-Ion Cells

It is desirable to be able to charge automotive batteries at a fast rate, especially for heavy duty commercial vehicles. In this study [1] the effect of fast charging (1C-4C) on ageing was studied on an energy-optimized 25 Ah prismatic NMC(III)/graphite lithium-ion cell cycled at 35°C and 20-80% SOC. Detailed post-mortemanalysis was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results show that the effect of charging rate is more complex than earlier described. Even though ageing is more rapid at 3 and 4C charging, no clear trends in degradation with charging rate are observed. Instead, different mechanisms are dominating at the different charging rates. Accelerated lithium plating was observed after cycling at 3C-charging, while extensive gas evolution was the cause to the fast cell impedance rise and capacity fade of the cells cycled at 4C. Graphite exfoliation and accelerated lithium inventory loss point to the graphite electrode as the source of the gas evolution. SEM show cathode particle cracking independent of the charging rate used for the cycling. XPS and EIS generally indicate thicker surface film and larger impedance, respectively, towards the edge of the cells. The results implicate that the ageing rates are too high to be feasible for a battery electric inner-city bus using this type of cell being charged at 3C. However, even though ageing rates for 2C and below are acceptable, it is concluded too slow from the point of view of practical charging time. Fig. Capacity fade vs. number of equivalent full cycles (inset: capacity fade vs. cycling time). Fast-charging effects on ageing for energy-optimized automotive LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2/ graphite prismatic lithium-ion cells. Abdilbari Shifa Mussa, Anti Liivat, Fernanda Marzano, Matilda Klett, Bertrand Philippe, Carl Tengstedt, Göran Lindbergh, Kristina Edström, Rakel Wreland Lindström, Pontus Svens, Journal of Power Sources 422, 2019, 175-184.