A thermo-chemo-mechanically coupled model for cathode particles in lithium–ion batteries

As the demand for lithium-ion batteries increases, a better understanding of the complex phenomena involved in their operation becomes crucial. In this work, we propose a coupled thermo-chemo-mechanical model for electrode particles of Li–ion batteries. To this end, we start with a general finite strain continuum framework for the coupled thermo-chemo-mechanical problem and then narrow it down to cathode active particles of Li–ion batteries, particularly to lithium manganese oxide particles. Electrochemical kinetics at the surface of the particle and also heat generation due to current exchange are taken into account. Next, the numerical treatment of the problem using the finite element method is presented. Specific line elements are needed to evaluate the flux of ions at the surface of the particle. Finally, the performance of the proposed model is evaluated using a few representative boundary value problems.