A Physical Impedance Model of Lithium Intercalation into Graphite Electrodes for a Coin-Cell Assembly

Graphite electrodes are widely used in commercial metal-ion batteries as anodes. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy serves as one of the primary non-destructive techniques to obtain key information about various batteries during their operation. However, interpretation of the impedance response of graphite electrodes in contact with common organic electrolytes can be complicated. It is especially challenging, particularly when utilizing the 2-electrode configuration that is common in battery research. In this work, we elaborate on a physical impedance model capable of accurately describing the impedance spectra of a graphite|electrolyte|metallic Li system in a coin-cell assembly during two initial charge/discharge cycles. We analyze the dependencies of the model parameters for graphite and metallic lithium as a function of the state of charge to verify the model. Additionally, we suggest that the double layer capacitance values obtained during specific intercalation stages could help to determine if the area-normalized values align with the expected range. The data and the procedure necessary for calibration are provided.