Electrochemical-thermal coupled modeling and lithium plating analysis of lithium-ion batteries under high-rate charging

The growing demand for fast charging necessitates a deeper understanding of lithium-ion battery performance under high-rate conditions, which induce significant electrochemical-thermal coupling and pose thermal safety risks. Additionally, low-temperature charging promotes lithium plating, increasing the risk of internal short circuits. This study presents an electrochemical-thermal coupled model to analyze battery behavior under high-rate charging, with an additional focus on low-temperature effects and lithium plating. The model integrates electrochemical kinetics, including lithium-ion intercalation and plating, with a thermal sub-model that describes heat generation and dissipation. Validation through charge-discharge experiments at varying rates and temperatures demonstrates the model's ability to accurately predict both electrical and thermal transients. Comparative analysis shows that pulse charging outperforms constant current charging, achieving a 20C charge rate and reducing charging time to 382 s. Furthermore, low-temperature charging experiments indicate that pulse current charging not only accelerates charging speed but also effectively prevents lithium plating. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing thermal management and improving battery strategies, highlighting the model's potential for enhancing the safety and efficiency of lithium-ion batteries in fast-charging applications.