Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
The increasing demand for higher energy capacity in lithium-ion batteries has underscored the significance of modeling lithiation with alternative electrode materials, such as silicon (Si) and tin (Sn). This research addresses the need for comprehensive insights into the (dis)charging process, particularly focusing on the intricate phase transformations in the anode. Phase-field modeling has proven effective in capturing these transformations 2, revealing volumetric deformations of up to 300% during (dis)charging cycles 1. Unfortunately, these deformations compromise material integrity, leading to reduced battery cycle life and reliability. To address these challenges, our work presents a novel framework for modeling lithiation in materials exhibiting two-phase diffusion using phase field modeling. Unlike previous models limited to single-phase diffusion, our framework provides a more realistic representation of the diffusion process. This realism is achieved by incorporating the time-dependent voltage applied to the anode, a crucial factor in understanding the electrochemical response during lithiation 3. Furthermore, we leverage the currents generated during the lithiation and delithiation processes to conduct a comprehensive voltammetric study. This study goes beyond existing research by considering the impact of phase separation on the currents developed during Li-ion battery operation. Our findings aim to contribute valuable insights into optimizing battery performance and addressing challenges associated with phase transformations, ultimately advancing the development of high-capacity anodes for lithium-ion batteries. REFERENCES 1 McDowell M. T., Lee S. W., Nix W. D., Cui Y. 25th Anniversary Article: Understanding the Lithiation of Silicon and Other Alloying Anodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries . Adv. Mater., Vol. 25 (36), pp. 4966–4985, 2013. 2 Chen L., Fan F., Hong L., Chen J., Ji Y. Z., Zhang S. L., Zhu T., Chen L. Q. A Phase-Field Model Coupled with Large Elasto-Plastic Deformation: Application to Lithiated Silicon Electrodes . J. Electrochem. Soc. , Vol. 161 (11), pp. F3164–F3172, 2014. 3 Swaminathan, N., Balakrishnan, S., & George, K. Elasticity and Size Effects on the Electrochemical Response of a Graphite, Li-Ion Battery Electrode Particle . Journal of The Electrochemical Society , 163 (3), A488–A498, 2016. Figure 1
Hussain et al. (Fri,) studied this question.