Nondestructive detection, characterization, and quantification of lithium plating in commercial lithium-ion batteries

Lithium plating is a typical aging mechanism of lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries at low temperatures and high charge rates. Therefore an instant detection method is needed for safe battery operation and to increase the life time. Detection of lithium plating during operation is only possible by nondestructive analysis of short-term plating effects. In this study, we present a new approach to detect, characterize, and quantify lithium plating in a commercial graphite/LiFePO4 battery. This is crucial for battery management systems (BMS) in real-world applications. The method is based on a high voltage plateau in the discharge profile after charging at plating conditions. This voltage plateau corresponds to the stripping of plated lithium from the graphite surface. It is shown that differential analysis of such voltage profiles provides a quantitative estimation of lithium plating. The correlation between lithium plating and stripping necessitates a distinction of reversible and irreversible plating. Effects of various operating conditions, i.e. charge temperature, state-of-charge (SOC), and charge current, on the plating behavior are investigated in order to elucidate this degradation mode. Furthermore, the presented approach allows for determination of the reversibility of lithium plating. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.