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Updated: Feb 4, 2026
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Characterization of Electrode Materials for Lithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries Using Synchrotron Radiation Techniques
Published on: November 11, 2013
26.1K
Operando Synchrotron-Based Fourier Transform Infrared Microspectroscopy of Metal-Ion Organic Battery Materials
Ashley P Black1, Deyana S Tchitchekova1, Nagaraj Patil2
1Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona, ICMAB-CSIC, Campus UAB, Catalonia 08193, Spain.
Chemistry of Materials : a Publication of the American Chemical Society
|February 2, 2026
Summary
Operando synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared (SR-μFTIR) microspectroscopy reveals dynamic electrochemical processes in organic electrodes. This technique elucidates reaction mechanisms in polyimide-based batteries, showing competing enolation/carbonylation pathways.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Advanced battery technologies require understanding complex electrochemical reactions at the microscale.
- Organic electrode materials offer potential for lightweight and sustainable energy storage but have complex reaction mechanisms.
- Operando synchrotron-based Fourier transform infrared (SR-μFTIR) microspectroscopy offers high spatial and temporal resolution for dynamic studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the utility of a modified electrochemical cell for operando SR-μFTIR microspectroscopy of organic electrodes.
- To investigate the reaction mechanism of a polyimide derived from 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (NTCDA) in Li, Na, and Ca cells.
- To elucidate the interplay between electrode materials, electrolytes, and metal ions during battery cycling.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a modified ECC-Opto-Std (ELCELL) cell enabling operando SR-μFTIR microspectroscopy.
- Performed SR-μFTIR mapping of polyimide electrodes during charging/discharging in Li, Na, and Ca half-cells.
- Conducted density functional theory (DFT) calculations to interpret spectral changes and reaction pathways.
Main Results:
- Observed reversible changes in carbonyl band intensities and the appearance of new bands during polyimide charge/discharge.
- DFT calculations assigned new bands to competing enolation/carbonylation processes with direct interactions with alkaline metal ions.
- SR-μFTIR provided detailed insights into stepwise mechanisms and rate-dependent variations in Na cells.
Conclusions:
- Operando SR-μFTIR microspectroscopy is a powerful tool for studying dynamic processes in organic electrodes.
- The study elucidated key reaction mechanisms in NTCDA-derived polyimides, highlighting the role of metal ion interactions.
- This methodology facilitates the development of next-generation batteries utilizing organic electrode materials.
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