Li-ion cell impedance identification in the time domain as an alternative to identification in the frequency domain

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) is a widely used tool for selecting a pertinent Equivalent Circuit Model (ECM) of Li-ion cells which is characterized by non integer order operators. The main drawback of EIS is the long time required to scan a whole spectrum down to low frequencies. Thus, chronopotentiometry (CP) is an alternative method which consists in identifying impedance parameters using an excitation current sequence lasting a few seconds and the corresponding induced voltage variations. An impedance fractional model needs to be synthesized in order to allow simulation also in the time domain. The pertinence of CP is demonstrated using experimental results obtained with a Samsung 3.4 Ah Li-ion cell. Due to its inability to take into account the inductive behavior, fractional model used in the time domain exhibit limitations. Nevertherless, parameters identified in the time domain present similar results to the ones identified in the frequency domain under the condition of a restricted frequency range.