Emerging X-ray imaging technologies for energy materials

Abstract

With the growing need for sustainable energy technologies, advanced characterization methods become more and more critical for optimizing energy materials and understanding their operation mechanisms. In this review, we focus on the synchrotron-based X-ray imaging technologies, and the associated applications in gaining fundamental insights into the physical/chemical properties and reaction mechanisms of energy materials. We will discuss a few major X-ray imaging technologies, including X-ray projection imaging, transmission X-ray microscopy, scanning transmission X-ray microscopy, tender and soft X-ray imaging, and coherent diffraction imaging. Researchers can choose from various X-ray imaging techniques with different working principles based on research goals and sample specifications. With the X-ray imaging techniques, we can obtain the morphology, phase, lattice and strain information of energy materials in both 2D and 3D in an intuitive way. In addition, due to the high penetration of X-rays, operando/in-situ experiments can be designed to track the qualitative and quantitative changes of the samples during operation. We expect this review can broaden reader's view on X-ray imaging techniques and inspire new ideas and possibilities in energy materials research.

3D Quantification of Microstructural Properties of LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co0.2O2 High‐Energy Density Electrodes by X‐Ray Holographic Nano‐Tomography

“…In light of this, over the last years, tomography techniques have been significantly developed as a powerful tool to investigate the microstructure of the electrodes. [ 12,15–19 ] These techniques provide interesting quantitative and/or qualitative metrics that shed light on the effects of the microstructure on the final performance. [ 12,20–22 ] In particular, they allow for a spatial analysis of the distribution of the different phases within the electrode, which is not accessible from regular electrochemical measurements.…”

Dendrites in Solid‐State Batteries: Ion Transport Behavior, Advanced Characterization, and Interface Regulation

“…[ 71 ] X‐ray tomography, with micrometer or even tens of nanometer resolution, has already achieved the investigation of the defects, such as cracks, dislocation, porosity, and tortuosity by the 3D structure analysis within the sample. [ 177,180,181 ] Furthermore, the information of the buried solid electrolytes is visualized by phase contrast (Figure 11h). [ 182 ] The major challenge for hard X‐ray technique is the relatively poor x‐ray absorption of a light metal element (lithium), which naturally makes it difficult to distinguish lithium dendrite from the intrinsic pores within the SSE, but some improved strategies such as phase contrast or de‐confusing mode are found to be conducive to realizing better image contrast.…”

Synchrotron X‐Ray Tomography for Rechargeable Battery Research: Fundamentals, Setups and Applications

“…To this end, utilizing advanced characterization methods is a prerequisite for gaining comprehensive and in‐depth insights into the physical and chemical properties of electrode materials, gathering fundamental understandings of the battery working mechanisms, as well as proposing reliable guidelines for further design and optimization of next‐generation battery technologies. [ 3,4 ]…”