Comparison of temperature resistance performance of lithium batteries
What is a lithium battery?
Lithium-ion batteries are becoming increasingly popular due to their high energy density, long battery life, and extreme flexibility. They are used for energy storage and are in high demand in consumer electronics as they serve as power sources in various application systems. The components of a lithium-ion battery are an electrolyte and two electrodes, both of which are lithium intercalation materials with sufficient electronic conductivity. However, lithium-ion batteries suffer from capacity loss, safety issues, and a sharp decrease in cycle life at low temperatures. The problems of lithium-ion batteries at low temperatures can be attributed to the reduced diffusion coefficient of Li+ in the electrode and electrolyte, poor interfacial transport kinetics, high Li+ desolvation barrier in the electrolyte, and severe lithium deposition and dendrites. At temperatures below 25°C, the main factor affecting battery performance is the lithium plating, while at temperatures above 25°C, cathode degradation occurs and the anode begins to be covered by the SEI Solid Electrolyte Interface layer. Lithium-ion batteries begin to behave abnormally when the temperature exceeds 60°C, and the acceptable temperature range for lithium-ion batteries is -20°C to 60°C. Temperatures outside this range may cause performance degradation and irreversible damage. Considering that the performance of lithium-ion batteries is limited by temperature, an effective thermal management system (TMS) is needed to alleviate thermal problems during the charging and discharging process of lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion batteries have been widely commercialized as important energy storage devices; however, the challenges faced by lithium-ion batteries at low temperatures are severe and urgent. Kinetics is the fundamental reason for the reduced Li+ transport at subzero temperatures. The inherent diffusion limitations inevitably affect the electrochemical performance of LIBs. Energy density improvements and safety requirements remain key issues encountered, especially in extreme temperature environments.
What is the temperature resistance of lithium batteries?
Temperature is a key factor affecting the performance of lithium-ion batteries. Tests were conducted on fresh cells and cells with the highest degradation at different temperatures (10°C, 30°C and 40°C) to check the robustness of the algorithm. The internal resistance of lithium batteries is significantly affected by temperature, and a decrease in temperature causes a significant increase in internal resistance. The increase in internal resistance is one of the important reasons for the decline in low-temperature performance of lithium-ion batteries. Furthermore, the performance of all lithium-ion batteries with different electrode materials decreases as the temperature decreases. Compared with LiFePO4 and LiMn2O4, Li(Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3)O2 has the worst thermal stability. In addition, Li(Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3)O2 is more prone to thermal runaway when the battery is fully charged. Pure Li(Ni0.5Co0.2Mn0.3)O2 begins to self-decompose at around 250°C, and the total heat generated is -88 J/g. Therefore, it is crucial to consider temperature resistance during the design and development of lithium-ion batteries to ensure optimal performance and safety.
What are the factors that affect the temperature resistance of lithium batteries?
The temperature resistance of lithium batteries is affected by many factors. One of the factors is the formation of lithium plating and lithium dendrites on the surface of the negative electrode, which will adversely affect the safety and cycle life of the battery at low temperatures. Another important factor is poor interphase and electrode kinetics, which can negatively impact the thermal resistance of lithium batteries. Reduced ionic and electronic conductivity of the electrolyte, reduced viscosity, and high freezing point are other factors that affect the temperature resistance of lithium batteries. However, recent breakthroughs have been made in electrodes and electrolytes to optimize low-temperature performance. In addition, Li+ transport characteristics, electrode polarization, lithium seeding and lithium dendrites are other factors that affect the temperature resistance of lithium batteries . Low-temperature degradation is a significant obstacle to the widespread application of lithium-ion batteries because it can lead to energy density loss, lifetime deterioration, and potential safety issues. Low-temperature lithium-ion batteries have been extensively studied over the past few decades . However, when implemented at temperatures below 0°C, LIBs suffer from problems such as reduced Li+ transport performance, severe electrode polarization, lithium implantation, and lithium dendrites, leading to performance degradation and safety issues . In order to ensure the temperature resistance of lithium batteries, it is crucial to immediately address the key obstacles to the low-temperature performance of lithium-ion batteries.
