Maximising lithium battery performance by capacity balancing: determining the Pareto fronts for electrode thickness and porosity
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Imediegwu, Chikwesiri
Shaffer, Milo SP
Ryan, Mary P
Panesar, Ajit
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Effective battery design is complex, requiring the resolution of multiple conflicting demands. Even where optimal electrode thickness, porosity, and architecture have been determined for isolated electrodes, designing optimal electrode parameters in full-cell configurations remains challenging. The performances of the positive and negative electrodes are linked due to the need to balance their capacities and complicated by differing rate-limiting mechanisms and ion transport asymmetries, under charge and discharge. This work develops a rational strategy for full-cell electrode design. First, validated, physics-based continuum models are used to determine Pareto fronts identifying best target negative and positive electrode thickness and porosity, under charge and discharge. The calculated ion concentrations provide a mechanistic understanding of the charge/discharge asymmetry. These Pareto fronts are then plotted in the areal capacity-volumetric energy density plane to identify the most effective electrode combinations. The approach is illustrated for a lithium-ion cell configuration using a graphite negative electrode and a LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 positive electrode (Gr/NMC622) but can be generalised to other electrode pairs and battery chemistries.
Date Issued
2026-03-01
Date Acceptance
2025-12-21
Citation
Journal of Power Sources, 2026, 667
ISSN
0378-7753
Publisher
Elsevier
Journal / Book Title
Journal of Power Sources
Volume
667
Copyright Statement
© 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
License URL
Identifier
10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.239174
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
239174
Date Publish Online
2026-01-02