Operando Analysis of Materials and Processes in Next Generation Batteries
Doctoral thesis, 2021
When exploring Next Generation Battery technologies novel materials and complex reactions are introduced underpinning the working mechanisms of energy storage. To move these technologies closer to realisation, a clear understanding of materials and processes during operation need to be established. To achieve this goal, investigations using operando characterisation techniques, measurements that are made during battery charge and discharge, provide a unique tool to advance the understanding of how a given battery technology works.
This thesis explores the use operando analysis methods to reveal the inner workings of three key next generation battery technologies; Na-ion anodes and how the electrode structure can be tuned to facilitate Na ion intercalation, how Lithium-Sulfur cathodes evolve during cell cycling and the subsequent conversion of polysulfide species, and finally the structures observed when using Lithium-Metal as an anode for high-capacity batteries. The focus is to determine structural changes to electrode materials using X-ray Tomographic Microscopy, and chemical changes using Raman Spectroscopy with the aim to reveal mechanisms controlling the performance in terms of capacity, rate capability or cycling stability. Though operando measurements present an exciting opportunity to monitor process in real time, they need to be grounded in reality, thus this thesis explores supporting work, such as ex situ measurements, electrochemical evaluations, and traditional characterisation methods used in battery research, all used to determine the complex and dynamic processes that dictate how batteries perform.
Author
Matthew Sadd
Chalmers, Physics, Materials Physics
Real-time imaging of Na+ reversible intercalation in "Janus" graphene stacks for battery applications
Science advances,;Vol. 7(2021)
Journal article
Rational Design of Low Cost and High Energy Lithium Batteries through Tailored Fluorine-free Electrolyte and Nanostructured S/C Composite
ChemSusChem,;Vol. 11(2018)p. 2981-2986
Journal article
Polysulfide Speciation and Migration in Catholyte Lithium−Sulfur Cells
ChemPhysChem,;Vol. 23(2022)
Journal article
Visualization of Dissolution‐Precipitation Processes in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Advanced Energy Materials,;Vol. 12(2022)
Journal article
Designing a Safe Electrolyte Enabling Long‐Life Li/S Batteries
ChemSusChem,;Vol. 12(2019)p. 4176-4184
Journal article
Insight into the Critical Role of Exchange Current Density on Electrodeposition Behavior of Lithium Metal
Advanced Science,;Vol. 8(2021)
Journal article
Investigating microstructure evolution of lithium metal during plating and stripping via operando X-ray tomographic microscopy
Nature Communications,;Vol. 14(2023)
Journal article
Subject Categories
Physical Sciences
Chemical Sciences
ISBN
978-91-7905-608-7
Doktorsavhandlingar vid Chalmers tekniska högskola. Ny serie: 5074
Publisher
Chalmers