Abstract
Li-ion batteries (LIB) are used as energy storage devices in automobile, mobile and stationary applications. However their lifetime issue is a primary concern resulting in a decreased performance. Li-ion batteries exhibit non-uniform behavior that results in incomplete utilization of the cell energy and non-uniform aging. Thus the objective of this work is to identify the factors influencing the inhomogeneous behavior and to study their effect on aging. A combined modeling and experimental approach is adopted in this work. In the experimental work, a setup is developed that surrogates the thermal and potential gradients occurring in commercial LIB. This setup is used to perform long-term accelerated cycling tests and inhomogeneous aging behavior is assessed. Several characterization tests are performed during and after the completion of the cycling. In the modeling part, multiphysics models describing the electrochemical, electrical and thermal behavior of LIB are developed. These models are appropriately coupled integrated with an aging component to represent the experimental setup behavior. Two main degradation phenomena, namely SEI (Solid Electrolyte Interface) formation and positive electrode active material have been identified experimentally and modelled. The latter is uniform whereas the former is influenced by temperature. Based on this, thermal dispersion impact on the inhomogeneity is greater than potential dispersion