Quantifying Bulk Electrode Strain and Material Displacement within Lithium Batteries via High-Speed Operando Tomography and Digital Volume Correlation.
Tracking the dynamic morphology of active materials during operation of lithium batteries is essential for identifying causes of performance loss. Digital volume correlation (DVC) is applied to high-speed operando synchrotron X-ray computed tomography of a commercial Li/MnO2primary battery during discharge. Real-time electrode material displacement is captured in 3D allowing degradation mechanisms such as delamination of the electrode from the current collector and electrode crack formation to be identified. Continuum DVC of consecutive images during discharge is used to quantify local displacements and strains in 3D throughout discharge, facilitating tracking of the progression of swelling due to lithiation within the electrode material in a commercial, spiral-wound battery during normal operation. Displacement of the rigid current collector and cell materials contribute to severe electrode detachment and crack formation during discharge, which is monitored by a separate DVC approach. Use of time-lapse X-ray computed tomography coupled with DVC is thus demonstrated as an effective diagnostic technique to identify causes of performance loss within commercial lithium batteries; this novel approach is expected to guide the development of more effective commercial cell designs.
Electrochemical Innovation Lab Department of Chemical Engineering University College London Torrington Place London WC1E 7JE UK.
Donal P
DP
Finegan
Division of Solid Mechanics Lund University 221 00 Lund Sweden.
Erika
E
Tudisco
ESRFThe European Synchrotron71 Rue des Martyrs38000GrenobleFrance; Synchrotron Soleil, L'Orme des MerisiersSaint-Aubin91192Gif-sur-YvetteFrance.
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.
Oluwadamilola O
OO
Taiwo
Manchester X-ray Imaging FacilitySchool of MaterialsUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK; Research Complex at HarwellHarwell Oxford, DidcotOxfordshireOX11 0FAUK.
David S
DS
Eastwood
Manchester X-ray Imaging FacilitySchool of MaterialsUniversity of ManchesterOxford RoadManchesterM13 9PLUK; Research Complex at HarwellHarwell Oxford, DidcotOxfordshireOX11 0FAUK.
Peter D
PD
Lee
ESRF The European Synchrotron 71 Rue des Martyrs 38000 Grenoble France.
Marco
M
Di Michiel
School of Mechanical Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Oregon State University Corvallis OR 97331-6001 USA.
Brian
B
Bay
Division of Solid Mechanics Lund University 221 00 Lund Sweden.
Stephen A
SA
Hall
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
DJ
Brett
Electrochemical Innovation Lab Department of Chemical Engineering University College London Torrington Place London WC1E 7JE UK.
Paul R
PR
Shearing
X‐ray computed tomography; degradation; digital volume correlation; lithium batteries; operando imaging