Temperature Effect and Thermal Impact on Lithium-ion Batteries

Batteries have become an essential component of modern society. They offer power for portable devices, which are extremely important today. And that is why many types of battery chemistries are on the market today.

One of the most popular battery types is lithium-ion. These batteries define the best features on the market, especially where capacity, durability, and general performance are concerned.

However, manufacturers and users have been battling with one of the biggest limitations of these batteries for a long time – sensitivity to extreme temperatures. Heat is one of the biggest enemies of li-ion battery performance and durability.

We have heard stories of these batteries exploding and causing serious damage due to extreme heat.

And so, today will discuss how temperature affects the batteries and what you should do. Keep reading to discover more.

Effect of Temperature on Lithium-ion Battery Performance

Lithium-ion batteries are known to deliver the best performance overall. They have become popular in devices that require high energy consumption.

Such performance can be reduced or increased depending on how much heat the battery operates under. Generally, extreme heat causes the battery to deplete too fast, making it less efficient.

Let’s discuss this further by looking at how li-ion batteries operate and how temperature can affect them.

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Operating Principle of Li-ion Batteries

Like any other battery type, lithium-ion batteries operate through the movement of ions between the positive and the negative electrodes. During discharging, the negative electrode travels through the electrolyte to the positive terminal. This process allows charged ions to move and produce the energy required to power the device.

During recharging, the process is reversed. Negatively charged ions move back to the negative electrode, where they are charged.

This is a complex process in which several factors may lead to reduced battery performance and safety. One of these factors is the ambient temperature in the battery’s storage area. High temperature can affect the battery’s stability from inside the cells, which makes it less efficient.

Heat and Increased Chemical Reaction

The complex chemical reactions that happen inside the battery process a certain amount of heat. The slower the reaction, the more efficient and durable your battery remains.

However, when the temperature rises, the chemical reaction increases. A faster chemical reaction means more stress to the battery, causing it to deplete too fast. You will notice that a battery that can last for a whole day jumps from 80% to 20% in a short time when under extreme heat.

Research has shown that an increase in temperature, from 77F to 113F, increases maximum storage capacity by about 20%. Whereas this seems like a good thing, it reduces the battery’s storage capacity over time.

For the first 200 cycles, the battery faces performance degradation by 3.3% under 77F. But when the temperature rises to 113F, performance is affected by 6.7%, more than double the normal degradation rate.

So, temporary exposure to heat may increase battery capacity, but it can damage it too and reduce its lifespan over time. Prolonged exposure is highly discouraged since it can even cause the battery to explode.

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Thermal Runaway

A battery can only offer maximum performance when working under optimum conditions. Heat generation with the battery cells is normal as it allows the battery to perform efficiently.

However, when this heat exceeds the heat dissipation capacity, it causes a thermal runaway. This happens at extremely high temperatures since they trigger exothermic reactions within the battery.

The heat produced from the reaction increases the battery’s internal temperature, which can damage the battery. It is the main cause of workplace fires and explosions.

So, if you have a lithium-ion battery and you wish to get the best performance from it, you will need to consider the temperature conditions. It is crucial to always keep the conditions optimum as much as possible.

The Best Temperature for li-ion battery is 35

As you can see, temperature conditions are key to getting the best performance from your li-ion batteries. That means you need to identify the ideal temperatures and keep the battery under such conditions.

Many people have sought to find out the ideal temperatures to keep their batteries. Well, if your battery is used in thermal equipment, ensure it stays within the range of 0 to 35C. Anything above 35C and your battery will deplete too fast, something you will not find very amusing in terms of performance.

Effect of Temperature on Battery Life

Charging or storing your li-ion battery in high-temperature environments can damage your battery permanently. The first and perhaps the biggest effect will happen on the battery’s capacity.

Also, the battery’s lifespan can be adversely affected. Not that all batteries come with a specific lifespan.

Here is how the temperature will affect the battery’s lifespan:

Increased Chemical Reaction

The chemical reactions inside the battery cause it to produce the electrical energy required to power your device. Heat is produced as the ions move between the electrodes through the electrolyte.

With temperatures ranging between 0 and 35C, these reactions are constantly at optimum. The battery will discharge at normal rates, keeping the charge-recharge cycle in check.

When the temperature increases, chemical reactions also increase, causing an increase in battery capacity. Such action will mean you have to recharge the battery more often than normal. The faster your battery depletes, the faster you will recharge it, which reduces the charge cycles, and hence, the lifespan.

Thermal Runaway

An increase in temperature, which affects the chemical reaction, leads to a thermal runaway. We have already explained what this means for your battery.

At best, your battery will lose its capacity to hold a charge much faster. And at worst, thermal runaways will cause workplace fires and explosions. There is no way you can use a swollen or exploded battery.

Conclusion

Lithium-ion batteries are among the best chemistries in the battery industry. They offer more usage than any other type, which is why they have grown in popularity. But that does not mean you are safe by just investing in a high-quality battery. You can take extra measures to extend your battery’s lifespan and also stay safe.

We hope this guide has been helpful. If you need more information or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out by leaving a comment.