Numerical computation of central crack growth in an active particle of electrodes influenced by multiple factors

Research Paper
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Abstract

Mechanical degradation, especially fractures in active particles in an electrode, is a major reason why the capacity of lithium-ion batteries fades. This paper proposes a model that couples Li-ion diffusion, stress evolution, and damage mechanics to simulate the growth of central cracks in cathode particles \((\hbox {LiMn}_{2}\hbox {O}_{4})\) by an extended finite element method by considering the influence of multiple factors. The simulation shows that particles are likely to crack at a high discharge rate, when the particle radius is large, or when the initial central crack is longer. It also shows that the maximum principal tensile stress decreases and cracking becomes more difficult when the influence of crack surface diffusion is considered. The fracturing process occurs according to the following stages: no crack growth, stable crack growth, and unstable crack growth. Changing the charge/discharge strategy before unstable crack growth sets in is beneficial to prevent further capacity fading during electrochemical cycling.

Keywords

Li-ion battery Active particle of electrodes Central crack and growth Extended finite element method Crack surface diffusion 
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Notes

Acknowledgements

Authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11472165 and 11332005).

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Copyright information

© The Chinese Society of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics; Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature 2018

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Shanghai Institute of Applied Mathematics and MechanicsShanghai UniversityShanghaiChina
  2. 2.Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mechanics in Energy EngineeringShanghai UniversityShanghaiChina

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