Ziesche, R.F.; Arlt, T.; Finegan, D.P.; Heenan, T.M.; Tengattini, A.; Baum, D.; Kardjilov, N.; Markötter, H.; Manke, I.; Kockelmann, W.; Brett, D. J. L.; Shearing, P.R.: 4D imaging of lithium-batteries using correlative neutron and X-ray tomography with a virtual unrolling technique. Nature Communications 11 (2020), p. 777/1-11
10.1038/s41467-019-13943-3
Open Access Version
Abstract:
The temporally and spatially resolved tracking of lithium intercalation and electrode degradation processes are crucial for detecting and understanding performance losses during the operation of lithium-batteries. Here, high-throughput X-ray computed tomography has enabled the identification of mechanical degradation processes in a commercial Li/MnO2 primary battery and the indirect tracking of lithium diffusion; furthermore, complementary neutron computed tomography has identified the direct lithium diffusion process and the electrode wetting by the electrolyte. Virtual electrode unrolling techniques provide a deeper view inside the electrode layers and are used to detect minor fluctuations which are difficult to observe using conventional three dimensional rendering tools. Moreover, the ‘unrolling’ provides a platform for correlating multi-modal image data which is expected to find wider application in battery science and engineering to study diverse effects e.g. electrode degradation or lithium diffusion blocking during battery cycling.