Electrochemistry Visualization Tool to Support the Electrochemical Analysis of Batteries

To meet the expected performance requirements of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), novel electrode materials, coatings and electrolytes have been studied in terms of their degradation mechanisms. Nevertheless, most of the methods used to track these mechanisms are not in operando, i.e., they do not follow them upon the practical LIB cell operation. The differential voltage analysis (DVA) and the incremental capacity analysis (ICA) constitute in operando techniques that can greatly help in monitoring batteries degradation mechanisms. We report here an in house developed software that allows the visualization of the DVA and the ICA curves of tested cells, with the possibility of rebuilding an experimental full-cell capacity vs. potential curve through fitting of its electrodes' half-cell capacity vs. potential curves. Those features can be applied to multiple charge-discharge cycles without data pretreatment, offering data exportation. We illustrate the functionalities of our software and indicate perspectives for its further development.

Automated summary

Novel electrode materials, coatings, and electrolytes have been studied to meet the performance requirements of lithium-ion batteries. In operando techniques such as differential voltage analysis and incremental capacity analysis can greatly help in monitoring battery degradation mechanisms.