High sensitivity detection of lithium plating in high-energy lithium-ion batteries based on time-domain distribution relaxation times analysis

Lithium plating is likely to occur in high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) during fast or low-temperature charging, which can cause serious safety issues. Therefore, lithium plating must be accurately detected and then avoided during the operation of LIBs. However, the current lithium plating detection methods still have problems with insufficient sensitivity and reliance on manual experience. To fill in these gaps, we propose a novel time-domain distribution relaxation times (DRT)-based lithium plating detection method, which can automatically determine the detection threshold and then achieve high sensitivity lithium plating detection by time-domain DRT modeling of the voltage relaxation curve. We have demonstrated that the proposed lithium plating detection method can achieve up to 99% accuracy under different charging conditions for all 240 testing cycles. Moreover, the lithium plating detection method is easy to be implemented in existing battery management systems (BMS) without the need for additional measurement hardware.