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Updated: Aug 7, 2025
Characterization of Electrode Materials for Lithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries Using Synchrotron Radiation Techniques
Published on: November 11, 2013
A Direct Real-Time Observation of Anion Intercalation in Graphite Process and Its Fully Reversibility by SAXS/WAXS
Giorgia Greco1,2, Giuseppe Antonio Elia3, Daniel Hermida-Merino4
1Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie GmbH, Hahn-Meitner-Platz 1, D-14109, Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
The process of anion intercalation in graphite and its reversibility plays a crucial role in the next generation energy-storage devices. Herein the reaction mechanism of the aluminum graphite dual ion cell by operando X-ray scattering from small angles to wide angles is investigated. The staging behavior of the graphite intercalation compound (GIC) formation, its phase transitions, and its reversible process are observed for the first time by directly measuring the repeated intercalation distance, along with the microporosity of the cathode graphite. The investigation demonstrates complete reversibility of the electrochemical intercalation process, alongside nano- and micro-structural reorganization of natural graphite induced by intercalation. This work represents a new insight into thermodynamic aspects taking place during intermediate phase transitions in the GIC formation.
