Mechanochemical degradation processes such as the fracture of cathode particles play a major role in limiting the service life of advanced lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In order to help alleviate the degradation of battery performance, it is necessary to measure the relationship between the degradation of the mechanical properties of cathodes and their concomitant degradation of electrochemical performance. In this review, measurements of the mechanical properties of LIB cathode materials are summarized from the literature, along with the range of experimental methods used in their determination. Dimensional changes that accompany charge and discharge are compared for active materials of olivine, spinel, and layered atomic structures. The sensitivity of indentation hardness, Young’s modulus and fracture strength to grain size, porosity, state of charge and charge/discharge history are critically reviewed and discussed with reference to the behavior of conventional, electrically inactive solids. This approach allows for the identification of microstructural properties that dictate the mechanical properties of LIB cathode materials.

正极颗粒断裂等机械化学降解过程在限制先进锂离子电池 (LIB) 的使用寿命方面发挥着重要作用。为了帮助缓解电池性能下降，有必要测量正极机械性能下降与其伴随的电化学性能下降之间的关系。在这篇综述中，从文献中总结了 LIB 正极材料的机械性能测量，以及用于测定它们的实验方法的范围。对于橄榄石、尖晶石和层状原子结构的活性材料，比较了伴随充电和放电的尺寸变化。压痕硬度、杨氏模量和断裂强度对晶粒尺寸、孔隙率、充电状态和充电/放电历史被严格审查和讨论，参考传统的、电惰性固体的行为。这种方法可以识别决定 LIB 正极材料机械性能的微观结构特性。