Angewandte Physik
Filtern
Dokumenttyp
- Zeitschriftenartikel (18)
Sprache
- Englisch (18)
Referierte Publikation
- ja (18) (entfernen)
Schlagworte
- Tomography (4)
- X-ray imaging (3)
- Neutron imaging (2)
- Radiography (2)
- Solid electrolytes (2)
- Solid-state batteries (2)
- Synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (2)
- 3D imaging (1)
- Abuse testing (1)
- Alkali metal anodes (1)
Organisationseinheit der BAM
Paper des Monats
- ja (1)
In recent years, low-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cells have become an increasingly important pillar in a zero-carbon strategy for curbing climate change, with their potential to power multiscale stationary and mobile applications. The performance improvement is a particular focus of research and engineering roadmaps, with water management being one of the major areas of interest for development. Appropriate characterisation tools for mapping the evolution, motion and removal of water are of high importance to tackle shortcomings.
This article demonstrates the development of a 4D high-speed neutron imaging technique, which enables a quantitative analysis of the local water evolution. 4D visualisation allows the time-resolved studies of droplet formation in the flow fields and water quantification in various cell parts. Performance parameters for water management are identified that offer a method of cell classification, which will, in turn, support computer modelling and the engineering of next-generation flow field designs.
The understanding of dynamic processes in Li-metal batteries is an important consideration to enable the full capacity of cells to be utilised. These processes, however, are generally not directly observable using X-ray techniques due to the low attenuation of Li; and are challenging to visualise using neutron imaging due to the low temporal resolution of the technique. In this work, complementary X-ray and neutron imaging are combined to track the dynamics of Li within a primary Li/SOCl2 cell. The temporal challenges posed by neutron imaging are overcome using the golden ratio imaging method which enables the identification of Li diffusion in operando. This combination of techniques has enabled an improved understanding of the processes which limit rate performance in Li/SOCl2 cells and may be applied beyond this chemistry to other Li-metal cells.
An in-depth understanding of the degradation mechanisms is a prerequisite for developing the nextgeneration all solid-state lithium metal battery (ASSLMB) technology. Herein, synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (SXCT) together with other probing tools and simulation method were employed to rediscover the decaying mechanisms of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM)|Li6PS5Cl (LPSCl)|Li ASSLMB. It reveals that the detachment and isolation of NCM particles cause the current focusing on the remaining active regions of cathode. The extent of Li stripping and the likelihood of Li+ plating into LPSCl facing the active NCM particles becomes higher. Besides, the homogeneity of Li stripping/plating is improved by homogenizing the electrochemical reactions at the cathode side by LiZr2(PO4)3 (LZP) coating. These results suggest a codependent failure mechanism between cathode and anode that is mediated by uneven Li ion flux. This work contributes to establish a holistic understanding of the degradation mechanisms in ASSLMBs and opens new opportunities for their further optimization and evelopment.
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.
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.
Li dendrites penetration through solid electrolytes (SEs) challenges the development of solid-state Li batteries (SSLBs). To date, significant efforts are devoted to understand the mechanistic dynamics of Li dendrites nucleation, growth, and propagation in SEs, and various strategies that aim to alleviate and even inhibit Li dendrite formation have been proposed. Nevertheless, most of these conventional strategies require either additional material processing steps or new materials/layers that eventually increase battery cost and complexity. In contrast, using external fields, such as mechanical force, temperature physical field, electric field, pulse current, and even magnetic field to regulate Li dendrites penetration through SEs, seems to be one of the most cost-effective strategies. This review focuses on the current research progress of utilizing external physical fields in regulating Li dendrites growth in SSLBs. For this purpose, the mechanical properties of Li and SEs, as well as the experimental results that visually track Li penetration dynamics, are reviewed. Finally, the review ends with remaining open questions in future studies of Li dendrites growth and penetration in SEs. It is hoped this review can shed some light on understanding the complex Li dendrite issues in SSLBs and potentially guide their rational design for further development.
The mechanical compression of metal foam flow-field based polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is critical in determining the interfacial contact resistance with gas diffusion layers (GDLs), reactant flow and water management.
The distinct scale between the pore structure of metal foams and the entire flow-field warrant a multilength scale characterization that combines ex-situ tests of compressed metal foam samples and in-operando analysis of operating PEFCs using X-ray computed tomography (CT) and neutron radiography. An optimal ‘medium’ compression was found to deliver a peak power density of 853 mW/cm². The X-ray CT data indicates that the compression process significantly decreases the mean pore size and narrows the pore size distribution of metal foams. Simulation results suggest compressing metal foam increases the pressure drop and gas velocity, improving the convective liquid water removal. This is in agreement with the neutron imaging results that demonstrates an increase in the mass of accumulated liquid water with minimum compression compared to the medium and maximum compression cases. The results show that a balance between Ohmic resistance, water removal capacity and parasitic power is imperative for the optimal performance of metal foam based PEFCs.
Understanding the complicated interplay of the continuously evolving electrode materials in their inherent 3D states during the battery operating condition is of great importance for advancing rechargeable battery research.
In this regard, the synchrotron X-ray tomography technique, which enables non-destructive, multi-scale, and 3D imaging of a variety of electrode components before/during/after battery operation, becomes an essential tool to deepen this understanding. The past few years have witnessed an increasingly growing interest in applying this technique in battery research. Hence, it is time to not only summarize the already obtained battery-related Knowledge by using this technique, but also to present a fundamental elucidation of this technique to boost future studies in battery research. To this end, this review firstly introduces the fundamental principles and experimental Setups of the synchrotron X-ray tomography technique. After that, a user guide to ist application in battery research and examples of its applications in Research of various types of batteries are presented. The current review ends with a discussion of the future opportunities of this technique for next-generation rechargeable batteries research. It is expected that this review can enhance the reader’s understanding of the synchrotron X-ray tomography technique and stimulate new ideas and opportunities in battery research.
Clarifying the Electro-Chemo-Mechanical Coupling in Li10SnP2S12 based All-Solid-State Batteries
(2022)
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.
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.