AVS 57th International Symposium & Exhibition
    Applied Surface Science Tuesday Sessions
       Session AS-TuP

Paper AS-TuP9
Multi-scale Characterization Studies of Li-ion Batteries

Tuesday, October 19, 2010, 6:00 pm, Room Southwest Exhibit Hall

Session: Applied Surface Science Poster Session
Presenter: S. Nagpure, The Ohio State University
Authors: S. Nagpure, The Ohio State University
B. Bhushan, The Ohio State University
S. Babu, The Ohio State University
G. Rizzoni, The Ohio State University
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Advanced Li-ion batteries with high energy and power density are fast approaching compatibility with automotive demands. While the mechanism of the operation of these batteries is well understood the aging mechanisms are still under investigation. While aging at the macroscopic level is directly measurable by increase in the internal resistance, at material level that include cathode, anode, separator and electrolyte aging can be attributed to many degradation mechanisms. As, the degradation of the material is caused by several simultaneous physiochemical processes that occur within the batteries, material characterization in automotive application batteries is a challenging task. We have identified and tested a set of experimental techniques for multi-scale characterization of the cathode in the Li-ion batteries. The electrical properties are studied using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and scanning spreading resistance microscopy. The structural degradation is studied using the infrared thermal imaging (meters), scanning electron microscope (micro), X-ray diffraction (micro), atomic force microscope (micro to nano), transmission electron microscope (micro) and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Finally, a relatively new neutron depth profiling technique was successfully used in these studies to study the transport and concentration of lithium within the few microns of the cathode thickness. We present the results obtained from this set of experiments when applied to the samples extracted from an unaged and an aged LiFePO4 based Li-ion battery.