The capacity fading behavior of a LiMn2O4/graphite lithium ion cells at different temperatures is analyzed using a physics-based porous composite electrode model and a parameter estimation technique. The parameter estimation technique is used to extract capacity fade dependent model parameters from experimental cycling data. Although the capacity fading mechanism of the LiMn2O4/graphite lithium ion cells are greatly influenced by temperature, major capacity fading mechanism is closely related to the trapping of Li ions into solid electrolyte interphase on the graphite negative electrode and the reduction in the volume fraction of the active material in the LiMn2O4 positive electrode. At 25 degrees C, the dominant capacity fading mechanisms is the formation of the solid electrolyte interphase while at 60 degrees C the dominant capacity fading mechanism is the reduction in the volume fraction of the positive active material. The efficacy of the physics-based composite electrode model is validated with experimental discharge profiles obtained from cells cycled at 25 and 60 degrees C. (c) The Author(s) 2018. Published by ECS. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License