Evaluating the Aging-Induced Voltage Slippery as Cause for Float Currents of Lithium-ion Cells

Abstract

This paper provides a comprehensive exploration of float current analysis in lithium-ion batteries, a promising new testing method to assess calendar aging. Float currents are defined as the steady-state trickle charge current after a transient part. In the literature, a correlation to capacity loss was reported. Assuming the float current compensates for the voltage decay over time and is linked to calendar aging, effects from voltage slippery must be considered. The dU/dQ analysis suggests solely a loss of active lithium. Therefore, we investigate the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) growth as the general aging mechanism to explain the origin of float currents. Our results show that the voltage slippery theory holds true within the low to middle test voltage ranges. However, the theory’s explanatory power begins to diminish at higher voltage ranges, suggesting the existence of additional, yet unidentified, factors influencing the float current. A shuttle reaction or lithiation of the cathode by electrolyte decomposition are the most promising alternative aging mechanisms at high voltages. The paper proposes a unique voltage slippery model to check for correlations between aging mechanisms, the float current test and the check-up test. For a better understanding, test strategies are proposed to verify/falsify the aging mechanisms beyond SEI.