Comparative study of thermal behaviors of various lithium-ion cells

Heat generation behaviors during charge and discharge are examined by calor imetric measurement for several lithium-ion cells that are commercially ava ilable. Heat flow from the cell shows interesting variation reflecting the characteristics of the electrode reactions. Heat generation of the cell wit h graphitic carbon anode draws extremely complicated curve caused by variat ion of stage structure of Lithium intercalated graphite. The cell with hard carbon anode dissipates excess heat resulting in a voltage hysteresis betw een charge and discharge. In the LiCoO2 cathode, thermal behaviors due to t he crystal phase transition are clearly observed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.