Quantitative Analysis of Solid-State Energy Devices Via 3D Reconstruction Using a FIB/SEM Dual Beam System

Abstract

To lower the carbon emission from the rising consumption of fossil fuels, electrochemical devices such as fuel cells and batteries, which can produce or store electricity from renewable resources, are attracting attention. Both systems require an electronically insulating solid membrane, which separates the cathode and anode to prevent short-circuiting. To improve the performance of porous electrodes, researchers have focused on tuning the electrode microstructure. The addition of highly ionic conducting materials to the electrode is commonly used to maximize the reaction site density. However, microstructural features, such as particle size distribution, electrochemically active site density and connectivity of each phase, are difficult to quantify only using conventionally used characterization methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM).One well-established method for obtaining three-dimensionally interconnected microstructural information is serial sectioning using a FIB/SEM dual beam system. Using this technique, more reliable and accurate quantification of the SOFC and ASSLIB electrodes microstructure are available. Also, the quantified features will be reflected in the responses of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. These results can provide a link between them. Therefore, the aim of this study is to three-dimensionally reconstruct the microstructure of solid-state energy devices via FIB/SEM dual beam system and to quantify their microstructural features. Also, these results will be combined with the electrochemically analyzed properties to further understanding their relationship with microstructural properties.