Lithium-ion batteries can experience overvoltage and undervoltage effects. As noted in Figure 1, the operating voltage and temperature of the battery must be maintained at the point marked with the green box. If it is not, the cells can be damaged. Figure 1. Operating window of a lithium-ion cell. Image used courtesy of Simon Mugo
The excessive current flow into the lithium-ion cell causes overheating and lithium plating, which leads to battery failure. When the current is in excess, the excessive joules will initiate more heat into the cell, causing overheating. The overheating leads to increased cell temperature hence failure.
Low temperature also causes lithium plating due to non-uniformities occurring within the cell elements originating from the manufacturing defects or misuse of the cell. Over-discharge is when voltage is drained from the battery cell to below two volts.
This capacity fade phenomenon is the result of various degradation mechanisms within the battery, such as chemical side reactions or loss of conductivity , . On the other hand, lithium-ion batteries also experience catastrophic failures that can occur suddenly.
The electrolyte can contribute to side reactions with the electrodes that reduce the available capacity of the battery and lead to wearout failure. While the electrolyte most commonly used in lithium-ion batteries has beneficial properties for ion transport, it is highly flammable and unstable outside of a narrow voltage and temperature window.
Millions of people depend on lithium-ion batteries. Lithium-ion is found in mobile phones, laptops, hybrid cars, and electric vehicles. The technology has faced extreme growth due to its high energy density, charging ability, and lightweight characteristics. Lithium-ion batteries can experience overvoltage and undervoltage effects.