Incremental Capacity Analysis and Close-to-Equilibrium OCV Measurements to Quantify Capacity Fade in Commercial Rechargeable Lithium Batteries

A quantitative approach is used to identify sources of contribution of capacity fade in commercial rechargeable lithium battery cells in laboratory evaluations. Our approach comprises measurements of close-to-equilibrium open-circuit voltage (cte-OCV) of the cell after relaxation at the end of the charging and discharging regimes and an incremental capacity analysis, in addition to conventional cycle-life test protocols using the dynamic stress test schedule. This approach allows us to separate attributes to capacity fade due to intrinsic and extrinsic origins.