  We report the lithium plating associated capacity loss during fast charging
of compressively loaded lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The charging and
discharging of LIB under compressive loading during service may affect the cell
performance or initiate localized defects in the electrodes. Pouch cells of
capacity 20mAh were compressively loaded to nominal pressures of 0-440 kPa and
subjected to 10 cycles of fast charging at 1C and 4C. Experimental results show
that cells charged at 4C-rate experienced significant capacity fade, and
applying compressive loads exacerbated the capacity loss. The coulombic
efficiency study shows that active lithium loss was higher for the initial
cycles before gradually reducing to a minimal capacity loss for the tenth
charging cycle. The cell voltage relaxation immediately after charging was
monitored to identify the stripping of plated lithium after fast charging
cycles and showed that the duration of lithium stripping was higher for cells
under mechanical compressive loading. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and
Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy (EPR) characterization of the
anode showed significantly higher lithium deposits on the anodes charged at a
4C rate under compressive loads. These results indicate that applied mechanical
compression causes increased lithium plating during fast charging of batteries.
