Effects of SiO2 particles in copper current collector on diffusion induced stresses in layered Li-ion battery electrodes

One of the limiting factors in the life of lithium-ion batteries is the diffusion-induced stresses on their electrodes that cause cracking and consequently, failure. Therefore, improving the structure of these electrodes to be able to withstand these stresses is one of the ways that can extend the life of the batteries as well as improve their safety. In this study, the effects of adding graphene nanoplatelets and microparticles into the active plate and current collectors, respectively, on the diffusion induced stresses in both layered and bilayered electrodes are numerically investigated. The micromechanical models are employed to predict the mechanical properties of both graphene nanoplatelet-reinforced Sn-based nanocomposite active plate and silica microparticle-reinforced copper composite current collector. The effect of particle size and volume fraction in the current collector on diffusion induced stresses has been studied. The results show that in electrodes with a higher volume fraction of particles and smaller particle radii, decreased diffusion induced stresses in both the active plate and the current collector are observed. These additions will also result in a significant decrease in the bending of the electrode.