Hysteresis and current dependence of the graphite anode color in a lithium-ion cell and analysis of lithium plating at the cell edge

The precise color analysis of the graphite anode helps to explain another effect: the frequently occurring lithium plating on the edge of the graphite anode for cells with an anode overhang. This overhang causes overcharging of the edge area of the cathode. Lateral inhomogeneities of the lithium-ion distribution are formed in the cathode at each cycle. When charging the cell with high current, lithium plating is therefore formed first directly opposite the cathode edge. Minimizing the overhang area can substantially reduce the susceptibility to lithium plating.