Recovery Strategy and Mechanism of Aged Lithium Ion Batteries after Shallow Depth of Discharge at Elevated Temperature

Performance degradation of prismatic lithium ion batteries (LIBs) with LiCoO₂ and mesocarbon microbead as active materials is investigated at an elevated temperature for shallow depth of discharge. Aged LIBs are disassembled to characterize the interface morphology, bulk structure, and reversible capacity of an individual electrode. It is found that the formation of interfacial blocking layer (IBL) on the anode results in the cathode state of charge (SOC) offset, which is the primary reason for the cathode degradation. The main capacity degradation of the anode is attributed to the IBL on the anode surface that impedes the intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions. Because the full battery capacity is limited by the cathode during aging, the cathode SOC offset is the most important reason for the full battery capacity loss. Interestingly, the capacity of aged LIBs can be recovered to a relative high level after adding the electrolyte, rather than the solvent. This recovery is attributed to the relief of the cathode SOC offset and the dissolution of the anode IBL, which reopens the intercalation and deintercalation paths of lithium ions on the anode. Moreover, it is revealed that the relief of cathode SOC offset and the dissolution of anode IBL trigger and promote mutually to drive the recovery of LIBs.