Cycling of Double-Layered Graphite Anodes in Pouch-Cells

Incremental improvement to the current state-of-the-art lithium-ion technology, for example regarding the physical or electrochemical design, can bridge the gap until the next generation of cells are ready to take Li-ions place. Previously designed two-layered porosity-graded graphite anodes, together with LixNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 cathodes, were analysed in small pouch-cells with a capacity of around 1 Ah. For comparison, custom-made reference cells with the average properties of two-layered anodes were tested. Ten cells of each type were examined in total. Each cell pair, consisting of one double-layer and one single-layer (reference) cell, underwent the same test procedure. Besides regular charge and discharge cycles, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, incremental capacity analysis, differential voltage analysis and current-pulse measurement are used to identify the differences in ageing behaviour between the two cell types. The results show similar behaviour and properties at beginning-of-life, but an astonishing improvement in capacity retention for the double-layer cells regardless of the cycling conditions. Additionally, the lifetime of the single-layer cells was strongly influenced by the cycling conditions, and the double-layer cells showed less difference in ageing behaviour.