Scanning Micro X-ray Fluorescence ( XRF) as an Effective Tool in Quantifying Fe Dissolution in LiFePO4 Cells: Towards a Mechanistic Understanding of Fe Dissolution

• Published in: Journal of the Electrochemical Society 2020-10, Vol.167 (13)
• Main Authors: Eldesoky, A., Logan, E. R., Johnson, M. B., McFarlane, C. R. M., Dahn, J. R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Batteries - Lithium; cell failure; electrolyte additives; Lithium iron phosphate; scanning x-ray microfluorescence; transition metal dissolution
• ISSN: 0013-4651; 1945-7111
• DOI: 10.1149/1945-7111/abba62

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, or LFP) is a widely used cathode material in Li-ion cells due to its improved safety and low cost relative to other materials such as LiNixMnyCozO2 (x + y + z = 1, NMC). To improve the calendar life of LFP cells, an investigation of their failure mechanisms is necessary. Herein, we use scanning micro X-ray fluorescence ( XRF) to study Fe dissolution from LFP and deposition on the graphite electrode, which is thought to be a contributor to capacity fade. The impacts of the vinylene carbonate (VC) electrolyte additive, cycling conditions, and water content in the positive electrode on Fe dissolution were studied. There was no significant correlation between Fe dissolution and capacity fade found. Furthermore, we proposed that gas generation concomitant with Fe dissolution might be due to the reduction of the organic species coordinating Fe2+ when they reach the negative electrode. Localized regions of increased Fe loading on the anode surface were found, which corresponded to regions with slight non-uniformities in stack pressure or current density. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of XRF in quantifying transition metal (TM) dissolution in Li-ion cells without any sample treatments that might mask valuable information such as element spatial distribution.