Advances in Battery Characterisation Using Multi-Modal Scanning X-Ray Nanoprobes
At a Glance
Section titled āAt a Glanceā| Metadata | Details |
|---|---|
| Publication Date | 2025-07-11 |
| Journal | ECS Meeting Abstracts |
| Authors | Majid Kazemian Abyaneh |
| Institutions | Diamond Light Source |
Abstract
Section titled āAbstractāRenewable sources could replace hydrocarbons, but sustainability imposes the integration with reliable and efficient energy storage (EES) facilities like rechargeable batteries. The ssuccessful operation of rechargeable batteries depends on the concerted occurrence of an enormous number of physico-chemical, electrical, thermal and mechanical processes, taking place over wide spatial (nm - cm) and temporal (10 -14 s - hours) ranges. Disentangling this scenario, to gain control over their relative roles on practical operation, durability and safety, calls for the capability of imaging what happens inside batteries at length-scales ranging from material structure up to battery components at the device scale, and correlating this information with the electrical performance over time. This perspective implies joint efforts in three key directions: (i) the acquisition of focused in operando data, in real-life or close to real-life conditions; (ii) their multiscale modelling and (iii) integration of this information into electrical diagnostics and control tools. Synchrotron-based scanning nanoprobes can contribute crucially to point (i) and provide unique factual input for points (ii) and (iii). Wide range of novel electrochemical cells for in operando muti-modal spectro-microscopy are designed and these systems provide fundamental answers to technologically relevant questions raised by R&D on state-of-the art as well as next-generation lithium and post-lithium battery studies and developments. Among realistic cell configurations, both coin-cells and pouch cells with an optical window, featuring specially - but straightforwardly - shaped electrodes, can be used for in situ and in operando measurements. Here, we present the current capabilities of the I14 and I08 beamlines at Diamond Light Source UK, which are in user operation mode, as well as give an outline of planned future upgrades. We describe our current instrumentation and software infrastructure, including an automated processing pipeline that provides users with a ptychographic reconstruction in near real time. We show results from a few scientific examples of in-operando and in-situ studies on batteries and catalysts samples using multi-modal X-ray Nanoprobes which allow the use of imaging and spectroscopy to access nanoscale chemical and structural information. Spectro-ptychography offers the unique capability to image in-operando electrochemical cells at high spatial resolution and with chemical specificity, further enhanced by the upcoming upgrade to Diamond II with an expected increase in coherent flux.