What Design and Operational Decisions Can Lead to Li Plating in a Lithium-Ion Battery with a Torn Tab during Discharge?

We elucidate phenomena that can lead to Li plating in a lithium-ion cell during discharge when a negative-electrode (graphite in this work) current-collecting tab is broken. After a qualitative explanation is provided for how such Li plating can result, which does not rely on a mathematical model, equations are derived and calculations are reviewed that are consistent with the qualitative explanation. We examine a graphite|NCMA cell, where NCMA refers to Ni 0.89 Co 0.05 Mn 0.05 Al 0.01 O 2 in this work. Sensitivity analyses show common cell design criteria and operational modes that lead to Li plating during discharge for a cell with a torn negative-electrode tab, and actions that can be taken to reduce the risk of such Li plating. The resulting analysis is two dimensional, and contour plots aid in understanding the behavior of the governing dependent variables. The methodology laid out in this work can facilitate rational battery cell design and robust operation so as to avoid Li plating during cell discharge.