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Electrical Characteristics of 18650 Li-Ion Cells at Low Temperatures

Journal Article · · Solid State Ionics
OSTI ID:9500

Low temperature electrical performance characteristics of A and T, Moli, and Panasonic 18650 Li-ion cells are described. Ragone plots of energy and power data of the cells for different temperatures from 25 C to {minus}40 C are compared. Although the electrical performance of these cells at and around room temperature is respectable, at temperatures below 0 C the performance is poor. For example, the delivered power and energy densities of the Panasonic cells at 25 C are {approximately}800 W/l and {approximately}100 Wh/l respectively and those at {minus}40 C are <10 W/l and {approximately}5 Wh/l. In order to identify the source for this poor performance at subambient temperatures, both 2- and 3-electrode impedance studies were made on these cells. The 2-electrode impedance data suggests that the cell ohmic resistance remains nearly constant from 25 C to {minus}20 C but increases modestly at {minus}40 C while the overall cell impedance increases by an order of magnitude over the same temperature range. The 3-electrode impedance data of the A and T cells show that the increase in cell resistance comes mostly from the cathode electrolyte interface and very little either from the anode electrolyte interface or from the ohmic resistance of the cell. This suggests that the poor performance of the cells comes mainly from the high cathode/electrolyte interfacial impedance.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (US); Sandia National Labs., Livermore, CA (US)
Sponsoring Organization:
US Department of Energy (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
9500
Report Number(s):
SAND99-2048J
Journal Information:
Solid State Ionics, Journal Name: Solid State Ionics
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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