Detection of Li Deposition by Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy in Post-Mortem Analysis

Glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GD-OES) is employed to detect and quantify Li deposition as a function of depth on graphite electrodes. Commercial cells with graphite anodes were subject to Li plating by being cycled at 5 degrees C. A comparison is made with graphite electrodes with solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) after formation. Depth profiles of O, Li, and C show different surface effects in terms of thickness and Li content, with significantly higher Li concentration in the case of Li deposition. (C) 2015 The Electrochemical Society. All rights reserved.