Battery degradation is a complex process driven by multiple interwoven mechanisms. In our previous post, we explored some of the key contributors to aging, including SEI growth, lithium plating, and mechanical degradation. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at SEI growth, one of the most fundamental yet still not fully understood processes affecting lithium-ion battery lifespan.
What the SEI is
The Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) is a thin layer that forms on the surface of the negative electrode (anode) in lithium-ion batteries. A similar process occurs on the positive electrode, but it has received much less attention. The SEI results from electrolyte decomposition and is central during the first few charging cycles, a stage known as formation, but it continues evolving throughout the battery’s lifetime. This layer acts as a protective barrier, preventing further electrolyte breakdown while allowing lithium ions to pass through.
Why a stable SEI matters
A well-formed SEI is essential for stable battery performance:
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Prevents further electrolyte decomposition, reducing unwanted side reactions.
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Regulates lithium-ion transport, ensuring efficient charge and discharge cycles.
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Impacts battery lifespan, as excessive SEI growth consumes lithium and increases internal resistance.
However, the SEI is not a perfect, static layer. Over time, it thickens due to continuous side reactions, trapping lithium ions and increasing resistance, which leads to capacity fade and power loss.
Modelling SEI growth
Due to its complexity, SEI growth is not fully understood, and many different modeling approaches attempt to capture different aspects of the process. Typically, physics-based SEI models are defined by coupling additional equations on top of electrochemical models.
One of these additional equations describes the electrochemical reactions that create the SEI. Despite significant research efforts, the precise physics behind SEI formation remain an open question. Many models assume a particular limiting factor for SEI growth, such as solvent diffusion or electron tunneling, so that other effects can be disregarded.
SEI growth also affects the porosity of the negative electrode, as it fills up void spaces originally meant for electrolyte penetration. To account for this, another equation is needed to track porosity changes over time.
While SEI growth is one of the primary degradation mechanisms, it is not the only process affecting the anode. Lithium plating, another major contributor to battery aging, has dynamics that are closely intertwined with those of SEI.
SEI modeling is complex and computationally intensive, but it’s essential for predicting long-term degradation in lithium-ion cells. The Predict stage in Ionworks Studio lets teams build coupled electrochemical-degradation models and validate them against cycling data, tracking how SEI evolution impacts cell performance. Book a demo to see degradation modeling in action.
In our next post, we’ll dive into lithium plating, its causes, and how it impacts battery performance and safety.
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