Modeling the Combined Effects of Cyclable Lithium Loss and Electrolyte Depletion on the Capacity and Power Fades of a Lithium-Ion Battery

In this study, we present a modeling approach to estimate the combined effects of cyclable lithium loss and electrolyte depletion on the capacity and discharge power fades of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The LIB cell based on LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 (NCM622) was used to model the discharge behavior in the multiple degradation modes. The discharge voltages for nine different levels of cyclable lithium loss and electrolyte depletion were measured experimentally. When there was no cyclable lithium loss, the 50% of electrolyte depletion brought about 5% reduction in discharge capacity at 0.05 C discharge rate, while it resulted in 46% reduction when it was coupled with 30% of cyclable lithium loss. The 50% of electrolyte depletion with no cyclable lithium loss caused 1% reduction in discharge power during 0.5 C discharge at the state of charge (SOC) level of 0.8, while it resulted in 13% reduction when it was coupled with 30% of cyclable lithium loss. The modeling results obtained by using the one-dimensional finite element method were compared with the experimental data. The justification of the modeling methods is demonstrated by the high degree of concordance between the predicted and experimental values. Using the validated modeling methodology, the discharge capacity and usable discharge power can be estimated effectively under various combined degradation modes of cyclable lithium loss and electrolyte depletion in the LIB cell.

Automated summary

In this study, a modeling approach is presented to estimate the combined effects of cyclable lithium loss and electrolyte depletion on the capacity and discharge power fades of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The validity of the modeling methods is demonstrated by comparing the results with experimental data. This methodology provides an effective way to estimate the discharge capacity and usable discharge power under different degradation modes.