A novel 3D-layered electrochemical-thermal coupled model strategy for the nail-penetration process simulation

The safety is one of the persisting concerns related with Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, among which the internal short-circuit is the most dangerous abusive situation and has always been the root cause for several catastrophic accidents in recent years. In this work, a 3D-layered electrochemical-thermal coupled model is employed to investigate the nail-penetration process in a Li-ion cell. The model is based on multilayer construction of a cell, and an effective strategy to evaluate the short-circuit area equivalent resistance (i.e. the equivalent resistance of short-circuit area that is caused by nail penetration) during the penetration process is proposed. The developed model is proved to have capability of estimating the thermal runaway time, as well as the temperature distribution during nail penetration process. It is also found that the active material loss during the nail-penetration process can be reconstructed by utilizing the developed model, which could provide understandings about the side reactions inside the cell during the nail-penetration process. The present study provides some insights about the nail-penetration process, and can be treated as a useful tool that helps the design of Li-ion cells for improving safety. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.