Interplay of Operational Parameters on Lithium Deposition in Lithium-Ion Cells: Systematic Measurements with Reconstructed 3-Electrode Pouch Full Cells

Deposition of metallic Li is a severe aging mechanism in Lithium-ion cells. This study evaluates the influence of the main operating parameters leading to deposition of Li: temperature, charging C-rate, and end-of-charge voltage. Therefore both, graphite anodes and NMC cathodes from commercial 16Ah pouch cells are reconstructed into 3-electrode full cells. The position of the reference electrode between anode and cathode allows acquiring anode potentials vs. (Li/Li+). Extensive evaluations of data reveal critical combinations of operating parameters to avoid Li deposition. The results from the reconstructed 3-electrode cells are compared with independently performed aging tests of the original 16Ah cells.