Comparison of commercial battery cells in relation to material properties

• Published in: Electrochimica acta Vol. 87; pp. 473 - 488
• Main Authors: Mulder, Grietus, Omar, Noshin, Pauwels, Stijn, Meeus, Marcel, Leemans, Filip, Verbrugge, Bavo, De Nijs, Wouter, Van den Bossche, Peter, Six, Daan, Van Mierlo, Joeri
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Automotive; Automotive components; Cell characterisation; Chemistry; Classification; Density; Direct energy conversion and energy accumulation; Electric batteries; Electric cells; Electric power generation; Electric vehicles; Electrical engineering. Electrical power engineering; Electrical power engineering; Electrochemical conversion: primary and secondary batteries, fuel cells; Electrochemistry; Electrodes; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Lithium batteries; Lithium-ion battery; Nickel-metal hydride battery; Test methods; Lithium-ion battery; RT; OCV; C3-rate; LTO; LNO; Automotive; R; cap; NiMH; PHEV-PC; Vavg; HEV-PC; LFP; DOD; Imax; HPPC; Test methods; BEV-PC; Cell characterisation; NMC; SOC; IT; Nickel-metal hydride battery; cp; NCA; C-rate; LMO; SEI; HEV-B; Electric vehicles; Secondary cell; Electric vehicle; Nickel hydrogen batteries; Characterization; Automobile industry; Test method; Lithion ion batteries; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0013-4686; 1873-3859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2012.09.042

► Test for cell characterisation on Li-ion and NiMh based on the 6 main international standards. ► Confrontation of the test results with the cathode chemistry and cell shape in a graphical way. ► Large differences are found; the manufacturer's knowhow is often decisive. ► Charge behaviour is underrated by manufacturers and test standards, but decisive. ► Test results mapped in a table to maximise the comparability, making an initial selection possible. This article evaluates the behaviour of lithium-ion cells of several chemistries and one nickel-metal hydride cell for automotive applications like (plug-in) hybrid vehicles and battery electric vehicles. The evaluation is based on an enhanced test methodology that enables the comparison of cell behaviour. Tests for high power and high energy application have been integrated. The characterisation tests exist of four test methods. The tests make large differences visible between the cell species. The 5C efficiency for example is between 75 and 90% while the cell temperature varies from 29 to 52°C. The power density is 80W/kg for the NiMH cell and lies between 330 and 3100W/kg for the lithium-ion cells. The cell results have been brought into relation to the material properties, the shape, referring to existing literature. The test plan made it possible to make an initial division in the cells. It appears that the manufacturer's knowhow is more important than the general electrode classification to produce outstanding cells.