How does temperature affect lithium ion batteries?

As rechargeable batteries, lithium-ion batteries serve as power sources in various application systems. Temperature, as a critical factor, significantly impacts on the performance of lithium-ion batteries and also limits the application of lithium-ion batteries. Moreover, different temperature conditions result in different adverse effects.

What happens if a lithium ion battery gets cold?

For instance, extremely low temperatures can lead to a process called lithium plating. When a lithium-ion battery is exposed to cold temperatures, the electrolyte inside the battery can become less mobile and more viscous. This can impede the normal movement of lithium ions between the electrodes during charging.

How does temperature affect battery power?

For example, the heat generation inside the LIBs is correlated with the internal resistance. The increase of the internal temperature can lead to the drop of the battery resistance, and in turn affect the heat generation. The change of resistance will also affect the battery power.

What happens if a lithium ion battery gets hot?

Conversely, high temperatures accelerate the chemical reactions within a lithium-ion battery, which can result in faster aging and a shorter overall lifespan. In very hot conditions, there is a risk of thermal runaway, where the battery’s temperature increases uncontrollably, posing safety hazards.

How does temperature affect battery discharge capacity?

When the ambient temperature is higher than 25 °C and lower than 55 °C, the discharge capacity of the battery will increase as the temperature rises. This is due to the increase in the activity of the internal materials of the battery, the faster the deintercalation of lithium ions, as well as the decrease in internal resistance.

How does lithium plating affect battery life?

Lithium plating is a specific effect that occurs on the surface of graphite and other carbon-based anodes, which leads to the loss of capacity at low temperatures. High temperature conditions accelerate the thermal aging and may shorten the lifetime of LIBs. Heat generation within the batteries is another considerable factor at high temperatures.