In situ visualization of multicomponents coevolution in a battery pouch cell

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are vital for energy storage, but performance limitations necessitate understanding degradation mechanisms.
• Improving rate capability, cyclability, energy density, safety, and cost efficiency requires detailed insights into structural evolution.
• Current methods often lack the resolution or in situ capabilities to fully capture battery operational dynamics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel laboratory-based X-ray micro-computed laminography approach for in situ visualization of LIBs.
• To enable high-resolution, high-throughput imaging of industry-relevant lithium-ion pouch cells.
• To correlate multiscale structures, degradation, and electrochemical behavior in large-scale battery cells.

Main Methods:

• Development and application of a laboratory-based X-ray micro-computed laminography system.
• In situ imaging of an industry-relevant lithium-ion pouch cell.
• Achieving a spatial resolution of 0.5 μm for identifying submicron features within electrodes.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated superior detection fidelity, resolution, and reliability in imaging LIB pouch cells.
• Successfully identified submicron structural features within cathode and anode electrodes.
• Directly visualized lithium plating, a key phenomenon in fast charging and low-temperature cycling.

Conclusions:

• The developed X-ray laminography technique offers a powerful tool for understanding LIB degradation.
• Enables direct visualization of critical failure mechanisms like lithium plating.
• Provides a pathway to correlate structural changes with electrochemical performance in industrial-scale batteries.