Compton scattering imaging of a working battery using synchrotron high-energy X-rays

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Physics
• Electrochemistry

Background:

• Compton scattering imaging utilizes high-energy X-rays to probe material structures.
• Electrochemical cells undergo complex internal changes during operation, requiring advanced imaging techniques.
• Understanding these changes is crucial for battery development and performance optimization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To apply Compton scattering imaging with synchrotron high-energy X-rays to a discharging coin cell.
• To measure the intensity of Compton scattered X-rays as a function of position and time.
• To visualize and analyze the internal dynamics of lithium-ion migration and electrode structural changes.

Main Methods:

• Utilized synchrotron-based high-energy X-ray Compton scattering.
• Performed in-situ measurements on a discharging coin cell.
• Acquired position-time intensity maps of scattered X-rays.

Main Results:

• Successfully captured the migration of lithium ions in the positive electrode.
• Observed structural changes in the electrode due to volume expansion during discharge.
• Generated detailed position-time intensity maps correlating with electrochemical processes.

Conclusions:

• Synchrotron Compton scattering imaging is effective for in-situ analysis of electrochemical cells.
• The technique provides insights into lithium-ion dynamics and electrode structural evolution.
• This represents a significant step towards product-level imaging of electrochemical devices.