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Title: 4D nano-tomography of electrochemical energy devices using lab-based X-ray imaging

Abstract

Electrochemical energy devices offer a variety of alternate means for low-carbon, multi-scale energy conversion and storage. Reactions in these devices are supported by electrodes with characteristically complex microstructures. To meet the increasing capacity and lifetime demands across a range of applications, it is essential to understand microstructural evolutions at a cell and electrode level which are thought to be critical aspects influencing material and device lifetime and performance. X-ray computed tomography (CT) has become a highly employed method for non-destructive characterisation of such microstructures with high spatial resolution. However, sub-micron resolutions present significant challenges for sample preparation and handling particularly in 4D studies, (three spatial dimensions plus time). Here, microstructural information is collected from the same region of interest within two electrode materials: a solid oxide fuel cell and the positive electrode from a lithium-ion battery. Using a lab-based X-ray instrument, tomograms with sub-micron resolutions were obtained between thermal cycling. The intricate microstructural evolutions captured within these two materials provide model examples of 4D X-ray nano-CT capabilities in tracking challenging degradation mechanisms. Furthermore, this technique is valuable in the advancement of electrochemical research as well as broader applications for materials characterisation.

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. UCL, London, London (United Kingdom)
  2. UCL, London, London (United Kingdom); National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Lakewood, CO (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
OSTI Identifier:
1432607
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5400-71275
Journal ID: ISSN 2211-2855
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC36-08GO28308
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Nano Energy
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 47; Journal Issue: C; Journal ID: ISSN 2211-2855
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
25 ENERGY STORAGE; Li-ion batteries; solid oxide fuel cells; 4D imaging; X-ray nano tomography; degradation

Citation Formats

Heenan, T. M. M., Finegan, D. P., Tjaden, B., Lu, X., Iacoviello, F., Millichamp, J., Brett, D. J. L., and Shearing, P. R. 4D nano-tomography of electrochemical energy devices using lab-based X-ray imaging. United States: N. p., 2018. Web. doi:10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.03.001.
Heenan, T. M. M., Finegan, D. P., Tjaden, B., Lu, X., Iacoviello, F., Millichamp, J., Brett, D. J. L., & Shearing, P. R. 4D nano-tomography of electrochemical energy devices using lab-based X-ray imaging. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.03.001
Heenan, T. M. M., Finegan, D. P., Tjaden, B., Lu, X., Iacoviello, F., Millichamp, J., Brett, D. J. L., and Shearing, P. R. Sat . "4D nano-tomography of electrochemical energy devices using lab-based X-ray imaging". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.03.001. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1432607.
@article{osti_1432607,
title = {4D nano-tomography of electrochemical energy devices using lab-based X-ray imaging},
author = {Heenan, T. M. M. and Finegan, D. P. and Tjaden, B. and Lu, X. and Iacoviello, F. and Millichamp, J. and Brett, D. J. L. and Shearing, P. R.},
abstractNote = {Electrochemical energy devices offer a variety of alternate means for low-carbon, multi-scale energy conversion and storage. Reactions in these devices are supported by electrodes with characteristically complex microstructures. To meet the increasing capacity and lifetime demands across a range of applications, it is essential to understand microstructural evolutions at a cell and electrode level which are thought to be critical aspects influencing material and device lifetime and performance. X-ray computed tomography (CT) has become a highly employed method for non-destructive characterisation of such microstructures with high spatial resolution. However, sub-micron resolutions present significant challenges for sample preparation and handling particularly in 4D studies, (three spatial dimensions plus time). Here, microstructural information is collected from the same region of interest within two electrode materials: a solid oxide fuel cell and the positive electrode from a lithium-ion battery. Using a lab-based X-ray instrument, tomograms with sub-micron resolutions were obtained between thermal cycling. The intricate microstructural evolutions captured within these two materials provide model examples of 4D X-ray nano-CT capabilities in tracking challenging degradation mechanisms. Furthermore, this technique is valuable in the advancement of electrochemical research as well as broader applications for materials characterisation.},
doi = {10.1016/j.nanoen.2018.03.001},
journal = {Nano Energy},
number = C,
volume = 47,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Mar 03 00:00:00 EST 2018},
month = {Sat Mar 03 00:00:00 EST 2018}
}

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