Investigation into the impact of dusty environment on lithium-ion batteries electrochemical performance: Unveiling novel pathways and implications

In response to the growing trend of green energy, more and more fields are being powered by lithium-ion batteries. However, the impact of dusty environments, for example, a harsh characteristic of mining environments, on lithium-ion batteries remains a blank slate. Therefore, this work pioneered the experimental study of the effect of dusty environments on the electrochemical performance of cyclic batteries and their aging mechanisms. The results indicate that the presence of dust interferes with the normal cycling behavior of the battery. However, the effect of dust on battery aging is not single linear. Dust interference is most pronounced at high ambient temperatures (34 °C) and low cycling currents (1C), where it accelerates the degradation of battery performance. At lower temperatures (24 °C) or higher currents (1.5C), the impact of dust is overshadowed or modified by the temperature and current effects, leading to a scenario where the dusty environment actually inhibits battery aging instead. The effects of dust on batteries can be summarized in terms of both electrical and thermal performance. These findings underscore the complex influence of dusty environments on battery cyclic aging, providing valuable insights for the life assessment and application promotion of lithium batteries in mining and similar dust settings.