Nanomechanical characterization and mechanical integrity of unaged and aged Li-ion battery cathodes

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have been implemented for numerous applications, one of which is in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV) and pure electric vehicles (EV). In an effort to prolong battery life it is important to understand the mechanisms that cause reduced battery capacity with aging. In this work, nanomechanical characterization and mechanical integrity studies were carried out on unaged and aged LiFePO4 battery cathodes using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and nanoindentation. Changes in hardness, elastic modulus, creep, nanowear, nanoscratch and nanofriction properties were measured. Measured changes are believed to occur as a result of coarsening and agglomeration of LiFePO4 nanoparticles. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.