3D Imaging and in-Operando X-Ray Tomography Study of Lithiation Induced Delamination and Cracking of Si Based Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries

It is becoming increasingly important to meet rising demands for energy storage, supply and portability. An ability to directly image and manufacture electrochemical devices such as batteries, in 3D, at high resolutions will help address these demands. The influence of microstructure on electrode behaviour can be tracked through 3D imaging, ultimately enabling intelligently designed electrodes to be printed or additively manufactured. Tomographic techniques allow for direct 3D imaging and characterisation of complex multi-phase microstructures which are inadequately described in 2D. The performance of battery electrodes is dependent on their inherent nano/micro scale structures where important reactions occur. Microstructural differences in mechanical, electrochemical or transport behaviour at fine length scales ultimately influences cell and pack level performance. Additionally, during processing or operation, microstructural evolution may degrade electrochemical performance. Here we utilise X-ray tomographic techniques to probe in 3D, silicon based battery structures at high resolutions. The advanced 3D quantification of complex electrode shapes, structures and morphology facilitates a detailed understanding of cell level behaviour. Furthermore, we directly image and track in-operando interfacial and microstructural changes during operation and dynamic failure (Figure 1). In doing so this provides important insights for future electrode design, enabling performance optimised structures to be created and understanding the sources of performance degradation. Figure 1