Tomography shows high potential of copper sulphide solid-state batteries
3D reconstruction of the formation of a copper crystallite in a copper sulfide particle (CuS) during the discharge of a lithium CuS solid-state battery. The volume expansion can lead to the formation of cracks (blue). © K. Dong / HZB
Solid-state batteries enable even higher energy densities than lithium-ion batteries with high safety. A team led by Prof. Philipp Adelhelm and Dr. Ingo Manke succeeded in observing a solid-state battery during charging and discharging and creating high-resolution 3D images. This showed that cracking can be effectively reduced through higher pressure.
Solid-state batteries (SSBs) are currently regarded as a promising battery technology of the future. Compared to the current lithium-ion batteries, which are used in mobile phones, laptops and electric vehicles, SSBs could achieve even higher energy densities and better safety. In addition to research institutes, all major automotive companies are therefore also researching this technology. The main feature of the technology is that the highly flammable liquid electrolytes of lithium-ion batteries are replaced by a solid. The entire battery is therefore consists of only "solid materials", hence the name solid-state battery. In order to produce such a battery, different materials (anode, cathode and electrolyte) must be pressed together under high pressure.
Researchers from the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin and Hereon, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing have now succeeded in observing the processes within such a solid-state battery during charging and discharging. The team led by Prof. Philipp Adelhelm and Dr. Ingo Manke investigated the behavior of copper sulfide, a naturally occurring mineral, as a cathode in a solid-state battery. Lithium was used as anode. A special feature of the battery is that large copper crystallites form during discharge. The formation of large crystallites enables a detailed investigation of the reaction by means of X-ray tomography. Thus, the (dis)charge reaction could be traced in 3D and for the first time the movement of the cathode particles within the battery could be tracked. In addition, it was shown that cracking can be effectively reduced by higher pressure. "For the complex measurements, we had to make some compromises and carry out many reference experiments," explains Dr. Zhenggang Zhang and Dr. Kang Dong, the joint first authors of the publication. "However, the results provide detailed insights into the inner workings of a solid-state battery and show how its properties can be improved."
Note:
The project was funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (NASEBER and KAROFEST projects) and the China Scholarship Council. At Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin, research into solid-state batteries using tomography will soon be further expanded. For example, the Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the construction of a new tomography laboratory (TomoFestBattLab) with 1.86 million euros.
- Catalysis research at HZB gets new facilityAs part of the CatLab project, HZB has acquired a unique facility for measuring the catalytic performance of thin-film catalysts. Built by ILS in Adlershof, it has now been delivered. The facility consists of a total of eight chemical reactors in which catalytic systems can be tested. At over €2.5 million, this is the largest single investment in the CatLab project.
- Protein crystallography at BESSY II: faster, better and more and more automaticMany diseases are linked to malfunctions of proteins in the organism. The three-dimensional architecture of these molecules is often highly complex, but it can provide valuable insights into biological processes and the development of drugs. X-ray diffraction at the MX beamlines of BESSY II can be used to decipher the 3D structure of proteins. To date, more than 5000 structures have been solved at the three MX beamlines. Here, we present a review and an outlook with Manfred Weiss, head of the research group for macromolecular crystallography.
- Humboldt-Fellow at HZB-Institute for Solar Fuels: Alexander R. UhlAlexander R. Uhl, UBC Okanagan School of Engineering in Kelowna, Canada, aims to develop with Roel van de Krol from the HZB Institute for Solar Fuels an efficient and inexpensive photoelectrolyser for producing hydrogen using sunlight. His stay is being funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation.