Study on lithium plating caused by inconsistent electrode decay rate during aging of traction batteries

Abstract The required long life-cycle of an electric vehicle creates higher demands on the performance and safety of lithium-ion traction batteries over their whole lives. Studies of the life cycle safety of a traction battery must consider all factors of the battery and analyze the complex structure–activity relationship. In this article, we present the analysis of the aging process of a commercialized traction battery using electrochemical methods. Lithium plating on the surface of the anode occurred during the cycling of the battery. Furthermore, the analysis of the electrochemical properties and structural evolution in the materials of the cathode and anode showed that the different decay rates of the cathode and anode are the key factors leading to lithium plating during the aging process, which creates safety hazards during the use of the traction battery.