You notice that your lithium-ion battery packs experience capacity attenuation over time. This occurs due to chemical changes, damage, and usage patterns. Several factors can accelerate the loss of power in batteries:

• Impurities in the electrolyte, such as water or hydrogen fluoride, can lead to adverse reactions within lithium-ion batteries.
• Overcharging or excessive pressure during charging can hinder the movement of lithium ions, resulting in diminished battery performance.
• Natural self-discharge and issues with the cathode material can alter the energy capacity of your battery.

You can mitigate these issues by adopting simple tips and making informed choices.

Key Takeaways

• Lithium-ion batteries lose power as they get older. This happens because of chemical aging, self-discharge, and temperature changes.
• Do not overcharge or drain your battery too much. This helps your battery last longer and work better.
• Keep batteries in a cool and dry place. This slows down self-discharge and stops damage from hot or cold temperatures.
• Check your battery often for swelling or getting too hot. This helps you find problems early.
• Use devices that have battery management systems. These help balance the charge and make batteries last longer.

Chemical Aging and Capacity Attenuation

You use a lithium-ion battery often. You might not know that chemical aging changes how it works. Over time, chemical reactions inside the battery cause capacity attenuation. This means your battery cannot hold as much charge. It runs out faster than before. You can notice these changes in three main ways: SEI layer formation, loss of active lithium ions, and changes in the electrode structure.

SEI Layer Formation

When you charge or use your lithium-ion battery, a thin layer called the SEI forms on the anode. This layer acts like a shield and keeps the battery safe from more reactions. But the SEI layer gets thicker each time you use the battery. As it grows, it traps some lithium ions. These trapped ions cannot move easily. You see capacity attenuation because fewer ions travel between the electrodes. For example, if you use your phone every day, the battery slowly loses its full charge. The SEI layer is a normal part of battery aging. You can slow it down by not overcharging and keeping your battery cool.

Tip: You can make your lithium-ion battery last longer by charging it only partway and keeping it at a cool temperature.

Loss of Active Lithium Ions

Lithium ions move between the anode and cathode when you use your battery. Some ions get stuck or lost during these cycles. When this happens, the battery cannot use all its lithium. This leads to capacity attenuation. You notice this as your lithium-ion battery holds less charge after many months. Manufacturers use different ways to help with active lithium ion loss and make batteries work better. Here is a table with some common methods:

These improvements help your lithium-ion battery last longer and lose less capacity. You can also help by charging your battery often and not letting it get too empty.

Electrode Structure Changes

The electrodes inside a lithium-ion battery change shape as you use it. Tiny cracks and breaks form in the material. These changes make it harder for lithium ions to move. You see capacity attenuation because the battery cannot give as much power as before. For example, if you use a laptop for school, you may see the battery drains faster after a year. Electrode damage is a normal part of lithium-ion battery attenuation. You can slow it down by charging gently and keeping your battery at a steady temperature.

Note: You can lower electrode damage by not letting your battery get too hot or too cold and by not letting it run out all the way.

Chemical aging affects every lithium-ion battery. SEI layer formation, loss of active lithium ions, and electrode structure changes all cause capacity attenuation. You can slow down lithium-ion battery capacity loss by following easy tips and learning how your battery works.

Self-Discharge and Electrolyte Decomposition

Natural Self-Discharge

Sometimes your battery loses charge when you do not use it. This is called self-discharge. All lithium-ion batteries have self-discharge as they get older. Ions inside the battery move slowly, even if the device is off. This slow movement makes the battery lose energy over time. As the battery gets older, self-discharge happens faster. The SEI layer protects the negative electrode but breaks down after many uses. When this layer breaks down, it uses some lithium from the electrolyte. This makes self-discharge happen more and lowers storage capacity. Your battery drains faster, even if you do not use it for a few days.

Tip: Keep your batteries in a cool, dry place to slow self-discharge. Do not leave them fully charged or empty for a long time.

Electrolyte Breakdown

Electrolyte decomposition also causes lithium-ion batteries to lose capacity. The electrolyte helps ions move between the battery’s electrodes. Heat, age, and using the battery a lot break down the electrolyte. When this happens, fewer lithium ions can move through the battery. This makes the battery hold less charge and not last as long. You can slow down electrolyte breakdown by keeping your battery at a normal temperature and not charging it too fast.

New electrolyte formulas help stop breakdown. These new ideas include:

• Changing the mix of salts, solvents, and additives to make the electrolyte more stable.
• Making ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability better for stronger batteries.
• Adding special coatings, like carbon, to the electrode to help it work better and last longer.

These new technologies help your batteries last longer and lose less capacity. Storing your battery the right way and charging it carefully helps you get the most from your lithium-ion battery.

Overcharging, Deep Discharge, and Temperature Effects

If you do not charge your battery the right way, it will not last as long. Using your battery in very hot or cold places is also bad for it. These things make your lithium-ion battery lose power faster. Let’s see how overcharging, deep discharging, and temperature changes can hurt your battery. You can also learn what to do to keep it safe.

Overcharging Damage

If you keep your battery plugged in after it is full, overcharging happens. This makes the battery get hotter and puts stress inside. The lithium ions still move even when the battery is full. This slowly hurts the battery’s parts and makes it lose power faster. You can stop this by unplugging your device when it is fully charged. Battery management systems help by checking each cell and stopping charging at the right time. These systems also share the work between cells and keep them from getting too hot.

Tip: Watch out for trickle charging. Leaving your battery on the charger too long can make it too hot and break it.

Deep Discharge Stress

If you let your battery run out all the way, it puts a lot of stress on the lithium ions and the battery’s parts. Every time this happens, it gets harder for the battery to hold power. Try not to let your battery get too empty. Charge it before it drops below 20%. Battery management systems help by stopping the battery from getting too empty and keeping the cells working together.

• Do not let your battery run out all the way often.
• Charge your battery more often instead of waiting until it is almost empty.

Low and High Temperature Limitations

Temperature changes can really hurt your battery. Very hot or cold places can damage the lithium ions and the battery’s parts. Most lithium-ion batteries work best at room temperature. Some special batteries, like lithium titanate, can handle very hot or cold places, but most cannot. Hot places make the battery wear out faster. Cold places slow down the ions and make the battery weaker.

• Put your batteries in a cool, dry place so they do not get too hot.
• Do not leave your battery in a hot car or a freezing place.
• Try to use and charge your battery at room temperature.

If you follow these tips, your lithium-ion battery will last longer and lose less power.

Cell Variations and Battery Pack Imbalance

Differences Between Cells

You may think all the cells in your battery are the same. But each cell gets older at a different speed. Some cells lose lithium ions faster than others. This makes some cells hold less charge. The whole battery pack loses power because of this. If one cell is weak, the battery drains faster. Your device might turn off sooner than you expect.

Cells in a lithium-ion battery pack must stay balanced. If not, the battery cannot use all its energy. Smart charging systems can help with this. These systems balance the charge between cells. They keep the battery healthy. Here is a table with two main balancing methods:

Tip: Pick devices with battery management systems. These systems help balance lithium ions and stop fast capacity loss.

Diaphragm Leakage and Pack Lifespan

Sometimes, rare problems like diaphragm leakage can happen. The diaphragm keeps the positive and negative sides apart. If it leaks, lithium ions move the wrong way. This can make the battery lose power quickly. Your battery may lose charge much faster or stop working.

Diaphragm leakage makes your battery pack not last as long. You cannot fix this problem at home. You can lower the risk by storing batteries safely and not damaging them. Regular checks help you find problems early. Balanced charging and careful use help your battery pack last longer.

Note: Always look for swelling or overheating in your battery. These signs can mean a problem inside, like diaphragm leakage.

You can slow down capacity loss by keeping lithium-ion batteries balanced and well cared for. Smart charging, safe storage, and regular checks help your battery last longer.

Lithium-ion battery packs lose power for many reasons. Chemical reactions inside the battery cause this to happen. Self-discharge also makes the battery weaker over time. Temperature changes can make the battery lose power faster. Lithium reacts with the electrolyte and this causes capacity loss. Your battery can lose power even if you do not use it. Hot or cold places make batteries lose power faster. You cannot get back lost battery power, but you can slow it down. Do not overcharge or let your battery run out all the way. Keep your battery away from very hot or cold places. Store your lithium-ion battery in a cool, dry spot. These tips help your battery last longer and work better.