Multiphysics Modeling and Electrochemical-Thermal Analysis of a Pouch-Type Lithium-Ion Battery Cell

Khan, Abubakar; Liu, Xiaolong; Hussain, Khalid

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J. Electrochem. Sci. Technol > Accepted Articles

Research Article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33961/jecst.2026.00430 [Accepted]
Published online June 23, 2026.

Multiphysics Modeling and Electrochemical-Thermal Analysis of a Pouch-Type Lithium-Ion Battery Cell

Abubakar Khan¹, Xiaolong Liu¹, Khalid Hussain²

¹School of New Energy, North China Electric Power University, Beijing 102206, China
²School of Cable Engineering, Henan Institute of Technology, Xinxiang 453000, China

Correspondence: Abubakar Khan,
Email: 120224300023@ncepu.edu.cn
Xiaolong Liu,
Email: liuxl@ncepu.edu.cn

Received: 11 May 2026 • Accepted: 15 June 2026

Abstract

This study presents a fully coupled 3D electrochemical-thermal Multiphysics modeling framework to investigate the combined effects of various C-rate, ambient temperature, and electrode thickness on the performance of a layered domain of a pouch-type lithium-ion battery cell. The model incorporates a LiPF₆-based electrolyte, a graphite (LiₓC₆, MCMB) anode, and a LiMn₂O₄ cathode, which investigate the effect of different C-rate, ambient temperature and electrode thickness on voltage response, state of charge (SOC) and state of discharge (SOD), heat balance, total net heat rate, and temperature rise under realistic operating conditions. The results indicate that increasing C-rate intensifies polarization losses, heat generation, and temperature gradients, leading to earlier temperature peaks and increased thermal stress. Ambient temperature influences electrochemical-thermal coupling in a nonlinear manner and significantly affects state of charge/discharge evolution, heat balance, and total net heat rate. Electrode thickness also plays a critical role in determining electrochemical utilization and thermal stability; thicker electrodes increase active material inventory but lead to greater heat accumulation and higher peak temperatures. These findings provide insight into the coupled electrochemical-thermal behavior of pouch-type lithium-ion batteries and offer guidelines for optimizing heat generation, thermal management strategies, electrode design, and C-rate selection to improve overall efficiency and performance.

Keywords: Pouch-type lithium-ion battery cell, Multiphysics modeling, electrochemical-thermal coupling, C-rate, Heat generation, Electrode thickness