A novel pressurized operando battery cell for laboratory X-ray computed tomography

Methods in microscopy, vol. 2, pp. 417–430

Abstract

Abstract Battery research relies on microscopy techniques for their microstructure characterizations and operando mechanism investigations. Such techniques include scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or X-ray computed tomography (XCT). The latter one plays a special role due to its ability to visualize a sample or even a whole cell completely in three dimensions. Additionally, imaging is conducted without destructing the investigated sample enabling the possibility of operando measurements. Therefore, XCT advances to a highly valuable method for investigating battery components and interfaces in the pristine, intermediate and post-mortem state or while operating the battery. Despite the evident advantages, XCT of certain battery types such as lithium metal are challenging due to the combination of low and high attenuating materials and air sensitive elements. This work presents the development of a pressurized operando battery cell for laboratory X-ray computed tomography. The developed cell makes the investigation of air sensitive and for XCT challenging battery systems possible. It is resistant to various chemicals and air-tight, thus suitable for different battery types. A dynamic sealing via a metal bellow allows to set and change the stack pressure during operation and after assembly, respectively. The design is optimized for maintaining a high photon flux without neglecting a reliable long-term sealing and practical handling. Initial measurements of a symmetric lithium metal cell with hybrid solid electrolyte demonstrate the capabilities of the developed cell holder.

Authors 9

1. Luca Guido Weckelmann Aachen Institute of Physical Chemistry

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy Technologies, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IET-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich , D-52425 Jülich , Germany

   Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University , D-52074 Aachen , Germany

2. Krzysztof Dzięcioł

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy Technologies, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IET-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich , D-52425 Jülich , Germany

3. Christoph König

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy Technologies, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IET-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich , D-52425 Jülich , Germany

4. Chih‐Long Tsai

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy Technologies, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IET-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich , D-52425 Jülich , Germany

5. Anna Windmüller

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy Technologies, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IET-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich , D-52425 Jülich , Germany

6. Luc H.J. Raijmakers

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy Technologies, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IET-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich , D-52425 Jülich , Germany

7. Hermann Tempel

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy Technologies, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IET-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich , D-52425 Jülich , Germany

8. Hans Kungl

   Forschungszentrum Jülich

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Energy Technologies, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IET-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich , D-52425 Jülich , Germany

9. Rüdiger‐A. Eichel Aachen Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Institute of Physical Chemistry

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, RWTH Aachen University , D-52062 Aachen , Germany

   Institute of Energy Technologies, Fundamental Electrochemistry (IET-1), Forschungszentrum Jülich , D-52425 Jülich , Germany

   Institute of Physical Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University , D-52074 Aachen , Germany