TY - JOUR A1 - Risse, S. A1 - Juhl, A. A1 - Mascotto, S. A1 - Arlt, T. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Hilger, A. A1 - Manke, I. A1 - Fröba, M. T1 - Detailed and Direct Observation of Sulfur Crystal Evolution During Operando Analysis of a Li-S Cell with Synchrotron Imaging N2 - Herein, we present a detailed investigation of the electrochemically triggered formation and dissolution processes of α- and β-sulfur crystals on a monolithic carbon cathode using operando high-resolution synchrotron radiography (438 nm/pixel). The combination of visual monitoring with the electrical current response during cyclic voltammetry provides valuable insights into the sulfur formation and dissolution mechanism. Our observations show that the crystal growth process is mainly dictated by a rapid equilibrium between long-chain polysulfides on one side and solid sulfur/short-chain polysulfides on the other side, which is consistent with previous studies in this field. The high temporal and spatial resolution of synchrotron imaging enables the observation of different regimes during the sulfur formation and dissolution process. The appearance of short-chain polysulfides after the first anodic CV peak initiates a rapid dissolution process of α-sulfur crystals on the cathode. The increase in the long-chain lithium polysulfide concentration at the cathode surface during charge results in an increased crystal growth rate, which in turn produces imperfections in α- and β-sulfur crystals. There are strong indications that these defects are fluid inclusions, which may trap dissolved polysulfides and therefore reduce the electrochemical cell capacity. KW - LiS battery KW - Radiography KW - Synchrotron Imaging PY - 2020 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c01284 VL - 11 IS - 14 SP - 5674 EP - 5679 AN - OPUS4-51100 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Tran, K. V. A1 - Woracek, R. A1 - Kardjilov, N. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Hilger, A. A1 - Kockelmann, W. A1 - Kelleher, J. A1 - Puplampu, S. B. A1 - Penumadu, D. A1 - Tremsin, A. S. A1 - Banhart, J. A1 - Manke, I. T1 - Spectral neutron tomography N2 - Combined three-dimensional (3D) mapping of (micro-)structures with elemental and crystalline phase variations is of significant importance for the characterization of materials. Neutron wavelength selective imaging is a spectral imaging technique that exploits unique contrast differences e.g. for mapping dissimilar elemental, isotope, or phase compositions, and has the particular advantage of being applicable to sample volumes on the meso- and macroscale. While being mostly applied as radiography (2D) so far, we herein report that the extension to tomography allows for the display of the full spectral information for every voxel and in 3D. The development is supported by example data from a continuous as well as a pulsed neutron source. As a practical example, we collected 4D data sets (3D + spectral) of plastically deformed metastable stainless steel and herein demonstrate an improved quantification strategy for crystalline phase fractions. These exemplary results illustrate that localized phase transformations can be quantified even in complex geometries within centimeter-sized samples, and we will discuss the limits and future prospects of the technique that is not limited to crystalline materials. KW - 4D tomographic data KW - Multi-energy CT KW - Spectral CT KW - Phase distribution KW - Full-field phase tomography PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-521668 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtadv.2021.100132 VL - 9 SP - 132 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-52166 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Zhang, Z. A1 - Dong, K. A1 - Mazzio, K. A. A1 - Hilger, A. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Wilde, F. A1 - Heinemann, T. A1 - Manke, I. A1 - Adelhelm, P. T1 - Phase transformation and microstructural evolution of CuS electrodes in solid-state batteries probed by in situ 3D X-ray tomography N2 - Copper sulfide shows some unique physico-chemical properties that make it appealing as a cathode active material (CAM) for solid-state batteries (SSBs). The most peculiar feature of the electrode reaction is the reversible formation of μm-sized Cu crystals during cycling, despite its large theoretical volume change (75%). Here, the dynamic microstructural evolution of CuS cathodes in SSBs is studied using in situ synchrotron X-ray tomography. The formation of μm-sized Cu within the CAM particles can be clearly followed. This process is accompanied by crack formation that can be prevented by increasing the stack pressure from 26 to 40 MPa. Both the Cu inclusions and cracks show a preferential orientation perpendicular to the cell stack pressure, which can be a result of a z-oriented expansion of the CAM particles during lithiation. In addition, cycling leads to a z-oriented reversible displacement of the cathode pellet, which is linked to the plating/stripping of the Li counter electrode. The pronounced structural changes cause pressure changes of up to 6 MPa within the cell, as determined by operando stack pressure measurements. Reasons for the reversibility of the electrode reaction are discussed and are attributed to the favorable combination of soft materials. KW - Copper sulfide KW - Crack evolution KW - Digital volume correlation KW - Phase transformation KW - Solid-state batteries PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-564577 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202203143 IS - 2203143 SP - 1 EP - 12 PB - Wiley VHC-Verlag AN - OPUS4-56457 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Tengattini, A A1 - Kardjilov, N A1 - Helfen, L A1 - Douissard, P A A1 - Lenoir, N A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Hilger, A A1 - Arlt, T A1 - Paulisch, M A1 - Turek, T A1 - Manke, Ingo T1 - Compact and versatile neutron imaging detector with sub-4μm spatial resolution based on a single-crystal thin-film scintillator N2 - A large and increasing number of scientific domains pushes for high neutron imaging resolution achieved in reasonable times. Here we present the principle, design and performance of a detector based on infinity corrected optics combined with a crystalline Gd3Ga5O12 : Eu scintillator, which provides an isotropic sub-4 μm true resolution. The exposure times are only of a few minutes per image. This is made possible also by the uniquely intense cold neutron flux available at the imaging beamline NeXT-Grenoble. These comparatively rapid acquisitions are compatible with multiple high quality tomographic acquisitions, opening new venues for in-operando testing, as briefly exemplified here. KW - Neutron imaging KW - Scintillator KW - Resolution PY - 2022 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-549836 DO - https://doi.org/10.1364/oe.448932 VL - 30 IS - 9 SP - 14461 EP - 14477 PB - Optica CY - Washington, DC AN - OPUS4-54983 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lu, J. A1 - Zhang, S. A1 - Yao, J. A1 - Guo, Z. A1 - Osenberg, M. A1 - Hilger, A. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Wilde, F. A1 - Manke, I. A1 - Zhang, X. A1 - Sun, F. A1 - Cui, G. T1 - Synergistic Effect of CO2 in Accelerating the Galvanic Corrosion of Lithium/Sodium Anodes in Alkali Metal−Carbon Dioxide Batteries N2 - Rechargeable alkali metal−CO2 batteries, which combine high theoretical energy density and environmentally friendly CO2 fixation ability, have attracted worldwide attention. Unfortunately, their electrochemical performances are usually inferior for practical applications. Aiming to reveal the underlying causes, a combinatorial usage of advanced nondestructive and postmortem characterization tools is used to intensively study the failure mechanisms of Li/Na−CO2 batteries. It is found that a porous interphase layer is formed between the separator and the Li/Na anode during the overvoltage rising and battery performance decaying process. A series of control experiments are designed to identify the underlying mechanisms dictating the observed morphological evolution of Li/Na anodes, and it is found that the CO2 synergist facilitates Li/Na chemical corrosion, the process of which is further promoted by the unwanted galvanic corrosion and the electrochemical cycling conditions. A detailed compositional analysis reveals that the as-formed interphase layers under different conditions are similar in species, with the main differences being their inconsistent quantity. Theoretical calculation results not only suggest an inherent intermolecular affinity between the CO2 and the electrolyte solvent but also provide the most thermodynamically favored CO2 reaction pathways. Based on these results, important implications for the further development of rechargeable alkali metal−CO2 batteries are discussed. The current discoveries not only fundamentally enrich our knowledge of the failure mechanisms of rechargeable alkali metal−CO2 batteries but also provide mechanistic directions for protecting metal anodes to build high-reversible alkali metal−CO2 batteries. KW - Alkali metal batteries KW - Synchrotron X-ray computed tomography KW - Lithium/sodium−carbon dioxide batteries KW - Battery failure mechanisms KW - Alkali metal anodes PY - 2024 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.4c02329 SP - 1 EP - 16 AN - OPUS4-59922 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Zhang, X. A1 - Zhang, S. A1 - Lu, J. A1 - Tang, F. A1 - Dong, K. A1 - Yu, Z. A1 - Hilger, A. A1 - Osenberg, M. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Wilde, F. A1 - Zhang, S. A1 - Zhao, J. A1 - Xu, G. A1 - Manke, I. A1 - Sun, F. A1 - Cui, G. T1 - Unveiling the Electro-Chemo-Mechanical Failure Mechanism of Sodium Metal Anodes in Sodium–Oxygen Batteries by Synchrotron X-Ray Computed Tomography N2 - Rechargeable sodium–oxygen batteries (NaOBs) are receiving extensive research interests because of their advantages such as ultrahigh energy density and cost efficiency. However, the severe failure of Na metal anodes has impeded the commercial development of NaOBs. Herein, combining in situ synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (SXCT) and other complementary characterizations, a novel electro-chemo-mechanical failure mechanism of sodium metal anode in NaOBs is elucidated. It is visually showcased that the Na metal anodes involve a three-stage decay evolution of a porous Na reactive interphase layer (NRIL): from the initially dot-shaped voids evolved into the spindle-shaped voids and the eventually-developed ruptured cracks. The initiation of this three-stage evolution begins with chemical-resting and is exacerbated by further electrochemical cycling. From corrosion science and fracture mechanics, theoretical simulations suggest that the evolution of porous NRIL is driven by the concentrated stress at crack tips. The findings illustrate the importance of preventing electro-chemo-mechanical degradation of Na anodes in practically rechargeable NaOBs. KW - Synchrotron radiation KW - X-ray imaging KW - NaO-battery PY - 2024 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202402253 SN - 1616-301X SP - 1 EP - 12 PB - Wiley VHC-Verlag AN - OPUS4-59820 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Müller, R. A1 - Boenke, T. A1 - Dörfler, S. A1 - Abendroth, T. A1 - Härtel, P. A1 - Althues, H. A1 - Kaskel, S. A1 - Kardjilov, N. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Sintschuk, Michael A1 - Hilger, A. A1 - Manke, I. A1 - Risse, S. T1 - Multimodal Operando Analysis of Lithium Sulfur Multilayer Pouch Cells: An In-Depth Investigation on Cell Component Design and Performance N2 - This study presents an innovative operando analysis of lithium-sulfur (Li/S) multilayer pouch cells, employing a combination of lab-source and synchrotron x-ray imaging to investigate sulfur crystallite dissolution and lithium dendrite formation. By integrating advanced X-ray imaging, impedance spectroscopy, and simultaneous monitoring of temperature and pressure, the research uncovers critical insights into the behavior of active and inactive cell components. The analysis reveals significant degradation increments, primarily driven by side product accumulation and the deterioration of lithium microstructures, which contribute to performance loss over cycling. Additionally, temperature distribution analysis shows a strong correlation between joule heating, polarization resistance, and the observed endothermic processes during crystallization. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanistic processes within industrially relevant pouch cells, highlighting opportunities for optimizing Li/S cell designs and advancing high-energy-density battery systems for commercial applications. KW - Current collector perforation KW - Impedance spectroscopy KW - Lthium sulfur batteries KW - Multilayer pouch cells KW - X-ray imaging PY - 2025 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202404256 SP - 1 EP - 12 PB - Wiley VHC-Verlag AN - OPUS4-62436 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Sun, F. A1 - Wang, C. A1 - Osenberg, M. A1 - Dong, K. A1 - Zhang, S. A1 - Yang, C. A1 - Wang, Y. A1 - Hilger, A. A1 - Zhang, J. A1 - Dong, S. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Manke, I. A1 - Cui, G. T1 - Clarifying the Electro-Chemo-Mechanical Coupling in Li10SnP2S12 based All-Solid-State Batteries N2 - A fundamental clarification of the electro-chemo-mechanical coupling at the solid–solid electrode|electrolyte interface in all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) is of crucial significance but has proven challenging. Herein, (synchrotron) X-ray tomography, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), time-of-flight secondary-ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), and finite element analysis (FEA) modeling are jointly used to decouple the electro-chemo-mechanical coupling in Li10SnP2S12-based ASSBs. Non-destructive (synchrotron) X-ray tomography results visually disclose unexpected mechanical deformation of the solid electrolyte and electrode as well as an unanticipated evolving behavior of the (electro)chemically generated interphase. The EIS and TOFSIMS probing results provide additional information that links the interphase/electrode properties to the overall battery performance. The modeling results complete the picture by providing the detailed distribution of the mechanical stress/strain and the potential/ionic flux within the electrolyte. Collectively, these results suggest that 1) the interfacial volume changes induced by the (electro)chemical reactions can trigger the mechanical deformation of the solid electrode and electrolyte; 2) the overall electrochemical process can accelerate the interfacial chemical reactions; 3) the reconfigured interfaces in turn influence the electric potential distribution as well as charge transportation within the SE. These fundamental discoveries that remain unreported until now significantly improve the understanding of the complicated electro-chemo-mechanical couplings in ASSBs. KW - All-solid-state batteries KW - Lithium metal batteries KW - Solid electrolytes KW - Sulfide solid electrolytes KW - Synchrotron X-ray tomography PY - 2022 DO - https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202103714 SN - 1614-6832 SP - 2103714 PB - Wiley VHC-Verlag AN - OPUS4-54431 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Al-Falahat, A. A1 - Kardjilov, N. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Kupsch, Andreas A1 - Woracek, R. A1 - Alrwashdeh, S. A1 - Manke, I. T1 - Investigation of detector backlighting and other effects in neutron darkfield images N2 - Neutron imaging can provide unique contrast mechanisms. In order to yield reliable and reproducible attenuation coefficients for quantification, one needs to fully understand and characterize the experimental set-up. One effect that has been largely overlooked in scintillator-camera based neutron imaging systems is the backlight scattering or back illumination in the detection system which can significantly affect the quantification of attenuation coefficients and lead to severe errors and image artifacts. Herein, backlighting is investigated by varying the illuminated detector area and the magnitude of the attenuation. The attenuation coefficient of multiple metal plates was determined by polychromatic neutrons bu the CONRAD V7 instrument. The strength of the back illumination strongly depends upon the sample absorption. While it is relatively moderate (a few percent) for weak absorbing samples, it can be severe when the sample is a strong absorber or thick. KW - Attenuation coefficient KW - Neutron imaging KW - Neutron scattering KW - Polycromatic neutrons KW - Scintillator PY - 2024 SN - 1073-9149 DO - https://doi.org/10.1080/10739149.2024.2380772 SP - 1 EP - 11 PB - Taylor & Francis AN - OPUS4-60752 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Peruzzi, N. A1 - Galli, S. A1 - Helmholz, H. A1 - Kardjilov, N. A1 - Krüger, D. A1 - Markötter, Henning A1 - Moosmann, J. A1 - Orlov, D. A1 - Prgomet, Z. A1 - Willumeit-Römer, R. A1 - Wennerberg, A. A1 - Bech, M. T1 - Multimodal ex vivo methods reveal that Gd-rich corrosion byproducts remain at the implant site of biodegradable Mg-Gd screws N2 - Extensive research is being conducted on magnesium (Mg) alloys for bone implant manufacturing, due to their biocompatibility, biodegradability and mechanical properties. Gadolinium (Gd) is among the most promising alloying elements for property control in Mg alloy implants; however, its toxicity is contro- versial. Investigating Gd behavior during implant corrosion is thus of utmost importance. In this study, we analyzed the degradation byproducts at the implant site of biodegradable Mg-5Gd and Mg-10Gd implants after 12 weeks healing time, using a combination of different imaging techniques: histology, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), x-ray microcomputed tomography (μCT) and neutron μCT. The main finding has been that, at the healing time in exam, the corrosion appears to have involved only the Mg component, which has been substituted by calcium and phosphorus, while the Gd remains localized at the implant site. This was observed in 2D by means of EDX maps and extended to 3D with a novel application of neutron tomography. X-ray fluorescence analysis of the main excretory organs also did not reveal any measurable accumulation of Gd, further reinforcing the conclusion that very limited or no removal at all of Gd-alloy happened during degradation. KW - Magnesium-gadolinium alloy KW - Biodegradable implant KW - Multimodal analysis KW - Energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy KW - Micro-computed tomography PY - 2021 UR - https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-535910 DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2021.09.047 SN - 1742-7061 SP - 1 EP - 10 PB - Elsevier Ltd. AN - OPUS4-53591 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -