Aging Mechanisms and Performance Optimization in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries underpin a wide range of modern technologies, from electric vehicles to grid-scale energy storage, yet their long-term performance is limited by a spectrum of interconnected aging mechanisms. Central to capacity loss is the gradual growth of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the anode, which consumes cyclable lithium and increases internal resistance. Concurrently, mechanical stresses during cycling give rise to particle fracture and electrode cracking, further accelerating SEI re-formation and loss of active material. Under high‐rate charging or low‐temperature conditions, lithium plating may occur on the anode surface, leading to irreversible capacity loss and potential safety hazards. On the cathode side, transition-metal dissolution and structural collapse can compound degradation. These processes often progress non-linearly: an initial stage of steady resistance rise can shift into rapid loss once electrode defects accumulate. To counteract such effects, research has focused on performance optimisation through adjusted charging protocols, advanced electrode coatings and electrolyte formulations, precise thermal management and data-driven modelling. In particular, physics-informed “digital twin” approaches now enable real-time tracking of internal state variables and predictive adjustment of operating conditions. By integrating multiscale insights—from molecular decomposition pathways to full-cell electrochemical responses—these strategies aim to extend cycle life, improve safety and reduce lifecycle costs, thereby strengthening the role of lithium-ion systems in a sustainable energy landscape.

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Aging Mechanisms and Performance Optimization in Lithium-Ion Batteries publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in aging mechanisms and performance optimization in lithium-ion batteries across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI): A passivation layer formed on the negative electrode through electrolyte decomposition, which grows over time and consumes lithium, raising cell resistance.

Digital twin: A physics-based computational replica of a battery that integrates real-time data to predict internal state evolution and guide operational strategies.

Lithium plating: The deposition of metallic lithium on the anode surface during fast charging or low-temperature operation, leading to irreversible capacity loss and potential safety risks.

Capacity fade: The gradual decline in a battery’s ability to store and deliver charge, resulting from combined electrochemical and mechanical degradation processes.

References

1. A digital twin to quantitatively understand aging mechanisms coupled effects of NMC battery using dynamic aging profiles. Energy Storage Materials (2023).
2. Evolution of aging mechanisms and performance degradation of lithium-ion battery from moderate to severe capacity loss scenarios. Chemical Engineering Journal (2024).
3. Python Battery Mathematical Modelling (PyBaMM). Journal of Open Research Software (2021).
4. A Review on Temperature-Dependent Electrochemical Properties, Aging, and Performance of Lithium-Ion Cells. Batteries (2020).
5. Electrochemical Modeling of Linear and Nonlinear Aging of Lithium-Ion Cells. Journal of The Electrochemical Society (2020).