Battery Research Resources

Challenge

Technologies

Solution

Resources

Avoid contamination of air-, moisture-, and/or beam-sensitive battery samples during preparation and sample transfer

IGST workflow:

DualBeam, SEM/Desktop SEM (in glove box), TEM, Avizo, CleanConnect

Complete workflow to enable sample characterization of sensitive battery materials in their native state without contamination

Brochure: Seamless inert gas sample transfer workflow

Datasheet: CleanConnect Sample Transfer System

App note: Benefits of the Phenom XL G2 Desktop SEM's argon compatibility for lithium battery research

Detection of lithium is difficult using SEM, EDS, and TEM

TOF-SIMS

Accurately detect and map lithium in battery samples in 2D and 3D down to 10 ppm

App note: Ion spectroscopy using TOF-SIMS on a Thermo Scientific Helios DualBeam

TEM

iDPC technology can clearly image light elements like lithium at atomic scale

App note: Integrated Differential Phase Contrast on Talos S/TEM

Characterize battery structure at different scales beyond the capacity of a single instrument

CT, SEM, Raman, DualBeam, Avizo, EDS

Correlative workflow allowing multiscale imaging and analysis of battery microstructure

App note: Multiscale image-based control and characterization of lithium-ion batteries

Prepare a large 2D area on the sample surface with high polishing quality for 2D imaging and characterization

DualBeam (Plasma FIB-SEM), EDS

High-throughput automated spin mill with high surface quality

App note: Large area automated sample preparation for batteries

SEM, CleanMill

CleanMill offers a dedicated workflow for air-sensitive samples, an ultra-high energy ion gun for fast polishing, and a cryogenic function to protect sample integrity

Datasheet: CleanConnect Sample Transfer System

Characterize key microstructure properties (like tortuosity) for electrode structure performance correlations

DualBeam, EDS, TOF-SIMS, Avizo

3D characterization of battery structure

·    Hardware to image 3D battery structure at different scales

·    Software to automate 3D imaging data collection

·    Thermo Scientific Avizo Software workflow for image analysis and quantification

Blog post/video: Advancing lithium-ion battery technology with 3D imaging

App note: Multiscale image-based control and characterization of lithium-ion batteries

Characterize beam-sensitive materials like SEI at nanoscale

TEM, EDS, Avizo

Nano- and atomic-scale characterization of energy materials

·    Cryo-EM workflow for accurate data collection with superior EDS performance

·    Avizo Software for structure quantification and visualization

Brochure: Analytical solutions for battery and energy storage technology

Webinar: Cryo- and in situ electron microscopy diagnosis-guided design of rechargeable battery materials for better batteries

Webinar: Advanced characterization methods of electrochemical materials and interphases for better batteries

In situ kinetic analysis (like heating) via electron microscope

SEM

Multiple in situ heating stage choices with integrated software for Thermo Scientific SEMs to understand cathode synthesis mechanisms

Brochure: Scanning electron microscopy for lithium battery research

Characterize beam-sensitive separator samples without damage

SEM/SDB

Superior low-KeV imaging and a cryo-FIB milling solution allow characterization of separator microstructure in 2D and 3D

App note: Strategies for accurate imaging on battery separator structure

Probe intrinsic SEI within a coin cell via electron microscopy

Laser Plasma FIB

High-energy, high-milling rate laser enables direct cross-section milling to understand Li-metal cell degradation mechanism

Webinar: Visualizing Li-metal anode battery degradation

Understand stoichiometry of solid electrolyte film as a function of depth

XPS

XPS depth profiling can quantify elements at each depth

Webinar: Understanding surface reactions of the solid electrolyte interface via advanced characterization techniques

Measure electrode surface chemistry

XPS

XPS can quantify the chemical states present at the electrode surface

App note: Analysis of electrode materials for lithium ion batteries

Track the evolution of the SEI layer

XPS

Materials can be depth profiled using XPS and a cluster ion source to follow the development of the SEI layer after cycling

In situ electrode cycling

XPS

Electrodes can be operated in situ to monitor spectral changes as they are charged and discharged

Investigate changes in separator chemistry during cell lifetime

XPS

The surface chemistry of polymeric materials is easily characterized using XPS

Profile battery components ex situ without missing point-to-point variability across an area

Raman

Raman microscopy can be used to look at changes to materials and distributions of components that occurred during use or testing

App note: Ex situ Raman analysis of Li-ion batteries

Identify phases and determine structures in anodes and cathodes

Raman

Raman microscopy can visually show the spatial distribution of different phases of the same material with different performance characteristics

App note: Raman analysis of lithium-ion batteries – Part I: Cathodes

App note: Raman analysis of lithium-ion batteries – Part II: Anodes

XRD

XRD can help to identify and quantify specific polymorphic structures of interest to increase yield and efficiency

Trace and map anode composition across charge and discharge cycles

Raman

Raman microscopy can be used for in situ monitoring of changes on electrode surfaces during charge/discharge cycles

App note: In situ Raman analysis of Li-ion batteries

Confirm the presence of specific carbon allotropes as anode components and in hybrid materials

Raman

Raman spectroscopy is particularly adept at the analysis of allotropes of carbon, including carbon in hybrid materials

App note: Raman analysis of lithium-ion batteries – Part II: Anodes

Understand the association of ionic species and distribution of components in solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs)

Raman

Raman microscopy can be used to visualize the spatial distribution of components in SPEs and indicate ionic associations

App note: Raman analysis of lithium-ion batteries – Part III: Electrolytes

Study crystallinity, stability, and reactivity in battery materials

XRD

X-ray diffraction can determine the percentage of crystallinity vs amorphous content of the active material, as well as structural stability and repeatability in real time

Brochure: ARL EQUINOX 100 X-ray Diffractometers

Follow charge/discharge reactions in situ

XRD

During charge/discharge, the cathode and anode of every battery cell undergo changes. XRD allows you to follow the changing phase composition and the evolution of the crystalline structure

Webinar: Drill down to microstructures with XRD