Operando neutron imaging study of a commercial Li-ion battery at variable charge-discharge current densities

We report an operando neutron imaging study of a commercial ICR 10440 Li ion battery during charge and discharge. The cylindrical battery with a spiral configuration is composed of a multiphase layered oxide cathode and graphite anode. In spite of a two-dimensional nature of the projection data of this time-resolved study, structural and functional details of the neutron radiography study were successfully uncovered and visualized. The spatially resolved measurements with a resolution of 40 mu m enabled to observe Li redistribution between the electrodes as well as a circulation of the electrolyte between the central column and the electrode layers at different states of charge (SoC) and at different current rates. Furthermore, ex-situ tomographic studies of the battery revealed the fine details of the structural inhomogeneity within the cell.

Automated summary

In this study, an operando neutron imaging technique was used to investigate a commercial Li-ion battery, providing insights into its structural and functional details during charge and discharge processes. Offline tomographic scans also revealed the structural heterogeneity within the battery.