Electrode Degradation Mechanisms in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries underpin the transition to electrified transport and renewable-energy storage, yet their lifetime is curtailed by complex degradation phenomena at electrode interfaces. Mechanical stresses during lithium insertion and extraction induce particle cracking and loss of electrical contact, while repeated volumetric changes promote electrode porosity and microstructural collapse. Concurrently, chemical processes consume active lithium: continuous growth of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) sequesters cyclable lithium and increases interfacial impedance, transition-metal dissolution from cathode materials migrates to and poisons the anode, and electrolyte oxidation at high potentials generates gas and thickens interphases. Under extreme conditions, lithium plating on the anode further depletes inventory and risks dendrite formation. These interwoven mechanical, chemical and electrochemical pathways define capacity fade, resistance rise and safety limits. Mitigating strategies now focus on advanced coatings, optimised electrolyte formulations and dynamic cycling protocols to manage interfacial stability and mechanical integrity over thousands of cycles.

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Electrode Degradation Mechanisms in Lithium-Ion Batteries publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in electrode degradation mechanisms 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 anode surface by electrolyte decomposition, which consumes lithium and increases resistance.

Lithium plating: Deposition of metallic lithium on the anode during charging, leading to loss of active lithium and potential safety hazards.

Transition-metal dissolution: Leaching of cathode metals (for example, Fe, Ni, Co) into the electrolyte, followed by deposition on the anode, impairing SEI stability.

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS): A frequency-domain technique used to quantify internal resistances and interfacial processes within a battery cell.

Capacity fade: The progressive reduction in a battery’s available charge storage over repeated charge–discharge cycles.

References

1. Performance and Degradation of LiFePO4/Graphite Cells: The Impact of Water Contamination and an Evaluation of Common Electrolyte Additives. Journal of The Electrochemical Society (2020).
2. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy on the Performance Degradation of LiFePO4/Graphite Lithium-Ion Battery Due to Charge-Discharge Cycling under Different C-Rates. Energies (2019).
3. Influence of cycling profile, depth of discharge and temperature on commercial LFP/C cell ageing: post-mortem material analysis of structure, morphology and chemical composition. Journal of Applied Electrochemistry (2020).