Electrochemical and Thermal Modeling for the Fast-Charge of Lithium-Ion Batteries with Cocurrent and Countercurrent Tab Connections and the Assessment of Li Plating

Abstract

Our focus is on large-format lithium-ion batteries, used in electric vehicles today and in the foreseeable future, which are charged at high rates. In order to fully charge the battery, we employ a protocol often referred to as cc-cv (constant current followed by constant voltage). We compare and contrast results for cocurrent and countercurrent tab locations. We show how the pseudo three-dimensional (P3D) model can be used to assess temperature and current distributions and determine if Li plating is expected. We demonstrate the advantages of countercurrent tab locations to (i) obtain more uniform current and temperature distributions and (ii) lower the propensity for Li plating. Sensitivity analyses include the influence of ambient temperature and cell length. The methodology laid out in this work can facilitate rational battery-cell design and robust operation, including high-rate charging.