Abstract
Information derived from microscopic images of Li-ion cells is the base for research on the function, the safety, and the degradation of Li-ion batteries. This research was carried out to acquire information required to understand the mechanical properties of Li-ion cells. Parameters such as layer thicknesses, material compositions, and surface properties play important roles in the analysis and the further development of Li-ion batteries. In this work, relevant parameters were derived using microscopic imaging and analysis techniques. The quality and the usability of the measured data, however, are tightly connected to the sample generation, the preparation methods used, and the measurement device selected. Differences in specimen post-processing methods and measurement setups contribute to variability in the measured results. In this paper, the complete sample preparation procedure and analytical methodology are described, variations in the measured dataset are highlighted, and the study findings are discussed in detail. The presented results were obtained from an analysis conducted on a state-of-the-art Li-ion pouch cell applied in an electric vehicle that is currently commercially available.
Highlights
Microscopy is a key analytical method that is applied in most research fields to understand various effects that influence the properties or the behavior of components or materials
Optical microscopy imaging results are shown at the end of this section and compared to those obtained from the subsequent electrongrinding microscopy (SEM) analysis
An examination of Sample #3 (Figure 4), which was generated from the middle of the cell side opposite the battery tabs, reveals the fact that all separator membranes were welded to the pouch at the sealing point near the edge (Figure 5a)
Summary
Microscopy is a key analytical method that is applied in most research fields to understand various effects that influence the properties or the behavior of components or materials. With reference to automotive batteries, two main fields of application can be distinguished. The first field involves the visualization of chemical processes that occur within the battery during operation, which supports the identification and the understanding of the mechanisms involved. The information gathered in this field enables researchers to find solutions to problems and improve these batteries. This information is useful during the early development of batteries.
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