The Effect of Structure and Mechanical Properties Change of Current Collector during Cycling on Sb-Based Lithium-Ion Batteries’ Performance

Abstract

Here, we investigate structure and mechanical change of Cu and Al current collector during cycling and analyze the contribution to capacity attenuation of Sb-based lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). There exists migration of C, Sb, and Li atoms to the inside of Cu current collector, and diffusion of Li, Co, and O atoms to the inside of Al current collector during cycling, which results in the formation of a porous film of Li2SbCu (with the thickness of 21 µm after 100 cycles) and a relatively dense film of Al2O3 (with the thickness of 23 µm after 100 cycles) on the surface of Cu and Al current collector, respectively. The formation of films results in a weak bond between active layer and current collector, and the increase of hardness of 0.84 GPa and modulus of 22.5 GPa for Cu current collector after 100 cycles, which is adverse to the charge capacity and cycling stability. Nevertheless, Al2O3 films caused hardness decrease of 0.53 GPa and modulus decrease of 18.93 GPa of Al current collector after 100 cycles, which contributes to the improvement of cycling stability and charge capacity. This study provides an understanding of the capacity loss of Sb-based LIBs from the perspective of structural degradation of current collectors.