In-operando high-speed tomography of lithium-ion batteries during thermal runaway.
Prevention and mitigation of thermal runaway presents one of the greatest challenges for the safe operation of lithium-ion batteries. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the application of high-speed synchrotron X-ray computed tomography and radiography, in conjunction with thermal imaging, to track the evolution of internal structural damage and thermal behaviour during initiation and propagation of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries. This diagnostic approach is applied to commercial lithium-ion batteries (LG 18650 NMC cells), yielding insights into key degradation modes including gas-induced delamination, electrode layer collapse and propagation of structural degradation. It is envisaged that the use of these techniques will lead to major improvements in the design of Li-ion batteries and their safety features.
Electrochemical Innovation Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
Donal P
DP
Finegan
ESRF, The European Synchrotron, 71 Rue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France.|Synchrotron Soleil, L'Orme des Merisiers, 91190 Saint-Aubin, France.
Mario
M
Scheel
Electrochemical Innovation Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
James B
JB
Robinson
Electrochemical Innovation Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
Bernhard
B
Tjaden
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
Ian
I
Hunt
Electrochemical Innovation Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
Thomas J
TJ
Mason
Electrochemical Innovation Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
Jason
J
Millichamp
ESRF, The European Synchrotron, 71 Rue des Martyrs, 38000 Grenoble, France.
Marco
M
Di Michiel
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, South Kensington Campus, London SW7 2AZ, UK.
Gregory J
GJ
Offer
National Physical Laboratory, Hampton Road, Teddington, Middlesex TW11 0LW, UK.
Gareth
G
Hinds
Electrochemical Innovation Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
Dan J L
DJL
Brett
Electrochemical Innovation Lab, Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK.
Paul R
PR
Shearing