Simulation of galvanostatic growth of polycrystalline Li deposits in rechargeable Li batteries

This brief communication is a preliminary attempt to apply models developed for electrochemical deposition of metals from aqueous solutions or molten salts (passivation-free condition). to the more complicated case of Li depo sition from nonaqueous solutions. The model systems chosen were lithium ele ctrodes in rechargeable, commercial Li (metal)-LixMnO2 AA batteries cycled at different high charging rates. Under these conditions, the Li deposits f ormed are hemispherical in shape. The passivation of the active metal in so lution is not efficient, and the active metal deposited reacts with the sol ution components at high rate, proportional to the surface of the grains th at are exposed to the solution. Our measurements and calculations showed th at the number of Li grains deposited per unit area of electrode increases w ith the current density applied, as predicted previously by models develope d for the simpler electrodeposition processes. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Lt d. All rights reserved.