The interplay between stack pressure, mechanical expansion and degradation pathways in lithium-ion batteries

作者：Heng Wang, Rui Wang, Christopher A. O’Keefe, Erik Björklund, Daniela Proprentner, Joe C. Stallard, Hwee Jien Tan, Wesley M. Dose, Louis F. J. Piper, Robert S. Weatherup, Angkur Shaikeea, Clare P. Grey, Michael F. L. De Volder · 发表于：Nature Energy · 年份：2026 · DOI：10.1038/s41560-026-02087-6 · 被引用次数：9 · 研究领域：Advancements in Battery Materials、Advanced Battery Technologies Research、Advanced Battery Materials and Technologies

Abstract While electrochemical degradation mechanisms in lithium-ion batteries are well studied, the influence of mechanical factors remains poorly understood. Here we introduce a high-precision stack-pressure control and dilatometry tool to apply a uniform and constant stack pressure on electrodes independent of electrode swelling. By increasing stack pressure fourfold over typical initial values, we double the lifetime of graphite ‖ LiNi 0.8 Mn 0.1 Co 0.1 O 2 cells, an industrially relevant battery chemistry, without altering active materials or electrolytes. This suggests that many lithium-ion batteries operate under sub-optimal stack-pressure conditions, leading to curtailed lifetimes. We demonstrate that different degradation mechanisms emerge outside the optimal pressure window: low stack pressure accelerates cathode cracking, whereas high pressure promotes lithium plating. Our findings highlight coupled mechanical–electrochemical degradation mechanisms and identify stack-pressure optimization as a practical solution for increasing cycling stability.