In situ Synchrotron X-ray Metrology Boosted by Automated Data Analysis for Real-time Monitoring of Cathode...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Synchrotron X-ray metrology offers advanced capabilities for battery material synthesis monitoring.
• Massive data generation from in situ methods challenges real-time process analysis.
• Automated analysis is crucial for on-site, on-the-fly adjustments in material synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an automated data analysis approach for in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction.
• To enable real-time monitoring of battery cathode material calcination.
• To facilitate agile adjustments during material synthesis experiments.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a weighted lagged cross-correlation (WLCC) similarity approach.
• Integration of WLCC with in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) metrology.
• Analysis of the calcination process for lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2) cathode material.

Main Results:

• Rapid extraction of phase progression (within 10 seconds) from numerous diffraction patterns.
• Detailed tracking of structural transformations from precursors to final LiNiO2.
• Identification of early-stage phase nucleation and growth dynamics.

Conclusions:

• The WLCC approach provides rapid, automated analysis for in situ XRD data.
• This method supports real-time process monitoring and control in battery cathode manufacturing.
• The data-powered platform enhances quality control and experimental agility.