Abstract
Fracture of lithium-ion battery electrodes is found to contribute to capacity fade and reduce the lifespan of a battery. Traditional fracture models for batteries are restricted to consideration of a single, idealised particle; here, advanced X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging, an electro-chemo-mechanical model and a phase field fracture framework are combined to predict the void-driven fracture in the electrode particles of a realistic battery electrode microstructure. An electrode is shown to exhibit a highly heterogeneous electrochemical and fracture response that depends on the particle size and distance from the separator/current collector. The model enables prediction of elevated cracking due to enlarged cycling voltage windows, cracking as a function of electrode thickness, and increasing damage as the rate of discharge is increased. This framework provides a platform that facilitates a deeper understanding of electrode fracture and enables the design of next-generation electrodes with higher capacities and improved degradation characteristics.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 231119 |
Number of pages | 14 |
Journal | Journal of Power Sources |
Volume | 526 |
Early online date | 19 Feb 2022 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2022 |
Bibliographical note
AcknowledgementsThis work was carried out with funding from the Faraday Institution [EP/S003053/1, grant numbers FIRG015, FIRG024 and FIRG025]. PRS would like to acknowledge the Royal Academy of Engineering [CiET1718\59] for financial support.
Keywords
- Lithium-ion battery
- Image-based model
- Phase field
- Fracture
- Electrode
- Microstructure