Ways to prevent lithium plating in EV batteries for faster charging

author: FutureCar Staff    

A new study led by Dr. Xuekun Lu from Queen Mary University of London in collaboration with an international team of researchers from the UK and USA has made a significant breakthrough in preventing lithium plating in electric vehicle batteries. This breakthrough could potentially lead to faster charging times for electric cars. The findings of the study were published in the journal Nature Communications.

Lithium plating is a phenomenon that can occur in lithium-ion batteries during fast charging. It happens when lithium ions accumulate on the surface of the battery's negative electrode instead of integrating into it, resulting in the formation of a layer of metallic lithium that continues to grow. This can cause damage to the battery, shorten its lifespan, and even lead to short-circuits that can result in fire and explosion.

Dr. Xuekun Lu explains that lithium plating can be significantly reduced by optimizing the microstructure of the graphite negative electrode. The graphite negative electrode consists of randomly distributed tiny particles, and by fine-tuning the particle and electrode morphology to achieve a homogeneous reaction activity and reduced local lithium saturation, lithium plating can be suppressed and the battery's performance can be improved.

According to Dr. Lu, the lithiation mechanisms of graphite particles vary under different conditions, depending on their surface morphology, size, shape, and orientation. This variation greatly affects the distribution of lithium and the likelihood of lithium plating. Using a pioneering 3D battery model, the researchers were able to identify when and where lithium plating occurs and how quickly it grows. This breakthrough discovery has the potential to significantly impact the future of electric vehicles.

The study also provides new insights into developing advanced fast charging protocols by enhancing the understanding of the physical processes involved in lithium redistribution within graphite particles during fast charging. This knowledge could lead to the development of more efficient charging processes while minimizing the risk of lithium plating.

In addition to faster charging times, the study found that refining the microstructure of the graphite electrode can also improve the battery's energy density. This means that electric cars could potentially travel further on a single charge.

Overall, these findings represent a major breakthrough in the development of electric vehicle batteries. They have the potential to pave the way for faster-charging, longer-lasting, and safer electric cars, making them a more appealing choice for consumers.

FutureCar Staff