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Results for “battery materials characterization”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 415 records · Page 23
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2016

Degradation of Beta-Cloth Covering for a Battery Orbital Replacement Unit in Low Earth Orbit

Samples from the B-cloth cover for a battery orbit replaceable unit from the International Space Station were characterized using optical and electron microscopy, UV-vis-NIR spectrophotometry, and x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. Results showed that in areas where the fabric was exposed to solar radiation the absorptance increased by as much as 20 percent, and the peak difference was in the ultraviolet, indicating that the increased absorptance may have been due to radiation. The emissivity of the material over a temperature range of 300 - 700 K was essentially unchanged.

Solar Physics↗
DOE OSTI2025

Morphological Heterogeneity Impact of Film Solid-State Cathode on Utilization and Fracture Dynamics

Structural heterogeneity in solid-state batteries can impact material utilization and fracture mechanisms. Crystallographically oriented lithium cobalt oxide film cathodes serve as a model electrode system for exploring how void distribution contributes to stress relief and build up during cycling. Real- and reciprocal-space operando and ex situ synchrotron based experiments are utilized to understand structural changes across multiple length scales contribute to stress generation and fracture. Nanotomography uncovers a depth-dependent porosity variation in the pristine electrode and highlights preferential fracture in regions of lower porosity during delithiation. Energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction and 3D X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) reveal the underutilization of cathode material in these regions. 3D XANES also confirms preferential delithiation near the sub-grain boundaries. Chemo-mechanical modeling coupled with site-specific mechanical characterization demonstrate how stress accumulation in dense regions of the electrode leads to fracture and underutilization of active material. In conclusion, our findings reveal the importance of materials design to alleviate stress in small-volume changing cathodes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Structure and Oxygen Evolution Activity of β-NiOOH: Where Are the Protons?

Ni oxides and oxyhydroxides (NiO x ) have been studied for a long time as cathode materials for alkaline batteries and electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Yet, understanding of the connection between their atomic and electronic structures and electrochemical performance or stability is still incomplete. In this work, we use first-principles density functional theory (DFT) calculations to revisit the structure, electronic properties, and OER activity of β-NiOOH, the catalytically active phase of NiO x . Following extensive DFTbased screening, we identify a hitherto overlooked structure characterized by a uniform distribution of H atoms on the NiO 2 layers. All the Ni 3+ cations in this structure exhibit an identical t g 6 e g 1 electronic configuration with an occupied 3d z2 orbital. Comparison of the calculated bond lengths with extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) data unequivocally supports this structure relative to all other low-energy configurations. Based on this structure, we uncover and detail defect-dominated OER mechanisms on the basal β-NiOOH (001) surface, with overpotentials as low as 0.39 V. The present results should provide a valuable contribution to ongoing efforts for understanding and developing enhanced transition-metal hydroxide catalysts for the OER.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2023

Fundamental studies of thermal and electrical transport in microporous metal-organic frameworks

In this work, we established porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as designer conductors of electrons and ions relevant to fundamental research and technological applications. MOFs are porous, crystalline materials composed of organic linkers and inorganic nodes. While most MOFs are insulating with respect to ionic and electronic charge carriers, a number of exceptions have been reported in recent years. Electrically conductive MOFs are highly attractive for applications including electrical energy storage, chemiresistive sensing, and optoelectronics because of their high surface areas and tunable chemical properties. Ion-conducting MOFs are desirable for the synthetically tunable size, shape, and polarity of their pore environments, allowing for the tailored development of solid state electrolytes for metal-ion batteries. We developed systematic strategies for the design of MOFs that conduct ions and electrons. For each objective, we leveraged the versatile chemistry of these materials to obtain frameworks with targeted properties towards electronic or ionic charge carriers. We studied the factors that govern electrical transport in MOFs in order to gain fundamental knowledge of this emerging class of materials. We took several approaches to tackle this problem from multiple angles. Namely, we synthesized and characterized new frameworks, investigated post-synthetic modifications to enhance conductivity, and correlated theory and experiment to uncover new mechanistic findings. These results, which put forth new design principles for conductive MOFs, move the field toward one of the DOE Basic Energy Sciences Grand Challenges: to “design and perfect atom- and energy-efficient synthesis of revolutionary new forms of matter with tailored properties.” In addition to investigating the movement of electrons in MOFs, we also studied the movement of other charged species in MOFs, such as protons, lithium, and magnesium. Proton-conducting frameworks could be appealing materials for solid state electrolytes in fuel cells. In addition, they contain crystallographically defined proton-conducting channels, in contrast with state-of-the-art polymer membranes such as Nafion, which are amorphous. Controlling pore size and polarity in MOFs can thus shed light on proton and other ion transport mechanisms, ultimately enabling the design of more advanced electrolyte materials and potentially novel electrical energy storage materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2016

Degradation of Beta Cloth Covering for a Battery Orbital Replacement Unit in Low Earth Orbit

Samples from the beta cloth cover for a battery orbit replaceable unit from the International Space Station (ISS) were characterized using optical and electron microscopy, UV-vis-NIR spectrophotometry, and x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. Results showed that in areas where the fabric was exposed to solar radiation the absorptance increased by as much as 20 percent, and the peak difference was in the ultraviolet, indicating that the increased absorptance may have been due to radiation. The emissivity of the material over a temperature range of 300 to 700 K was essentially unchanged.

Solar Physics↗
DOE OSTI2024

Lithium inventory tracking as a non-destructive battery evaluation and monitoring method

Tracking the active lithium (Li) inventory in an electrode shows the true state of a Li battery, akin to a fuel gauge for an engine. However, non-destructive Li inventory tracking is currently unavailable. Here, in this work, we used the theoretical capacity of a transition metal oxide to convert capacity into a Li inventory analysis. The Li inventory in electrodes was tracked reliably to show how battery formulations and test methods affect performance. Contrary to capacity, Li inventory tracking reveals stoichiometric variations near the electrode–electrolyte interface. Verifiable results rationalized differences in measurements, clarifying and reducing interferences from cell formulations and experimental manipulations. By tracing four variables from formation to end-of-life, we characterize electrode and cell performance with a thermodynamic framework. Accurate rationalization of subtle differences in Li inventory utilization promises precise battery engineering, evaluation, failure analysis and risk mitigation. The method could be applicable from cell design optimization and fabrication to battery management, improving battery performance and reliability.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2024

Defect Chemistry in High‐Voltage Cathode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Batteries

High-voltage cathodes (HVCs) have emerged as a paramount role for the next-generation high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the pursuit of HVCs comes with inherent challenges related to defective structures, which significantly impact the electrochemical performance of LIBs. The current obstacle lies in the lack of a comprehensive understanding of defects and their precise effects. This perspective aims to provide insights into defect chemistry for governing HVCs. The classifications, formation mechanisms, and evolution of defects are outlined to explore the intricate relationship between defects and electrochemical behavior. The pressing need for cutting-edge characterization techniques that comprehensively investigate defects across various temporal and spatial scales is emphasized. Building on these fundamental understandings, engineering strategies such as composition tailoring, morphology design, interface modification, and structural control to mitigate or utilize defects are thoroughly discussed for enhanced HVCs performance. Furthermore, these insights are expected to provide vital guidelines for developing high-performance HVCs for next-generation high-energy lithium-ion batteries.

cross-scale characterization↗
NASA NTRS1989

A new concept for high-cycle-life LEO: Rechargeable MnO2-hydrogen

The nickel-hydrogen secondary battery system is now the one of choice for use in GEO satellites. It offers superior energy density to that of nickel-cadmium, with a lifetime that is at least comparable in terms of both cycle life and overall operating life. While the number of deep cycles required for GEO use is small, LEO satellites with long lifetimes (5 to 10 years) will require secondary battery systems allowing 30,000 to 60,000 useful cycles which are characterized by an approximately 2C charge rate and C average discharge rate. Recent work has shown that birnessite MnO2 doped with bismuth oxide can be cycled at very high rates (6C) over a very large number of cycles (thousands) at depths-of-discharge in the 85 to 90 percent range, based on two electrons, which discharge at the same potential in a flat plateau. The potential is about 0.7 V vs. hydrogen, with a cut-off at 0.6 V. At first sight, this low voltage would seem to be a disadvantage, since the theoretical energy density will be low. However, it permits the use of lightweight materials that are immune from corrosion at the positive. The high utilization and low equivalent weight of the active material, together with the use of teflon-bonded graphite for current collection, result in very light positives, especially when these are compared with those in a derated nickel-hydrogen system. In addition, the weight of the pressure vessel falls somewhat, since the dead volume is lower. Calculations show that a total system will have 2.5 times the Ah capacity of a derated nickel-hydrogen LEO battery, so that the energy density, based on 1.2 V for nickel-hydrogen and 0.7 V for MnO2-hydrogen, will be 45 percent higher for comparable cycling performance.

Appleby, A. John↗
DOE OSTI2022

Facile Electrodeposition and Aging to Generate 3-Dimensional α-MnO 2 Battery Cathodes

Conventional tape casting forms 2-dimensional (2D) electrodes containing active material, conductive additive, and binder with restricted ion access as electrodes increase in thickness. To improve the transport properties, 3D architectures were developed using electrodeposition to ensure contact between the active material with the substrate, and provide enhanced electrolyte access. This paper investigates electrodeposition of cryptomelane ( α -MnO 2 ) as a model cathode material to efficiently accommodate (de)lithation and increase areal capacity vs conventional 2D coatings. Electodeposited samples on titantium (Ti) foil substrates were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and show a linear increase of the average oxidation of Mn (3.5–3.8) and active mass loading (1.27–9.9 mg) with deposition and aging times (0–120 min). The initial deposition is amorphous and forms the crystalline material during the elevated temperature aging step. The active material, α -MnO 2 , was also deposited on C-cloth and these cathodes at deposition times of 3, 6, and 9 min deliver 9, 36, and 69% higher areal capacities, respectively, at 0.2 mA cm −2 compared to conventional 2D electrodes with a mass loading equal to the 3 min sample. These results demonstrate the benefit of α -MnO 2 within a porous architecture providing enhanced transport properties.

Electrochemistry↗
DOE OSTI2025

Size-Selective Nanoporous Atomically Thin Graphene Separators for Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are extensively researched for their high energy densities but are hindered by the lithium polysulfide (LiPS) shuttling effect, which results in poor cyclability. A popular mitigation strategy is separator modification, where a LiPS trapping material is slurry-coated onto a conventional microporous polypropylene (PP) separator. This additional mass and volume unfortunately compromise the overall energy density of the LSB. This study aims to take a separator modification approach that avoids this issue. Nanoporous atomically thin membranes (NATMs) made of graphene are gaining attention for their scalable synthesis, tunable pore size, and negligible pore length. Herein, we apply a well-characterized graphene NATM for reasons similar to those of a size-selective interlayer in LSBs. The tailored pore size of ∼0.7–1.0 nm and atomic thinness facilitate the passage of Li + (solvated ionic diameters ∼0.54–1.26 nm) and blockage of larger LiPS (solvated ionic diameters ∼0.81–1.69 nm) without adding significant impedances or mass. The sulfur confinement is confirmed through scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy elemental analysis of the Li anode. An LSB with a NATM@PP separator shows virtually no capacity loss over 150 cycles, demonstrating efficacy of size-selective molecular sieving using NATMs in LSBs.

battery separator↗
DOE OSTI2023

Basics of the scanning electrochemical microscope and its application in the characterization of lithium-ion batteries: a brief review

A scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM) can directly monitor electrochemical processes at interfaces of electrodes and electrolytes and has been used as an analytical tool for lithium-ion battery (LIB) studies. Through SECM, we can visualize the electrochemical reactivities of active species in LIBs in-situ during cycling. This review begins with introducing SECM-based LIB research and then summarizes the working mechanism and operating modes of the technique as well as combinations of SECM with other techniques for LIB studies. We review the results with a focus on the interfacial properties, surface reactions and electrochemical activity of different electrode materials for LIBs. The investigations of battery degradation, kinetic parameters and electrolyte swelling by SECM are also discussed. Finally, the current limitations and perspectives are also described regarding future developments.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Ultrasonic Characterization of Lithium Ion Thermal Runaway Conditions for Real-time Ultrasonic Enabled BMS Integration

The demand for energy storage is growing, and lithium-ion batteries are a promising technology to meet this need due to their high power/energy density, high round-trip efficiency, rapid response time, and portability. However, recent catastrophic events caused by thermal runaway have slowed their adoption, highlighting the need for an early warning system for battery failure. In this work, ultrasound is used to detect physical changes in 950 mAh batteries by identifying material property changes independent of voltage and current. [Ultrasound signal features (e.g., time of flight, maximum frequency component) were extracted as the batteries were cycled and subjected to both constant current and constant voltage overcharge and were used to develop two metrics identifying failure: a warning to detect the start of overcharge and an emergency stop (E-stop) to immediately take the battery out of service. The identification method involved locating magnitude differences of several ultrasound features compared to baseline operation considering different currents and temperatures, and the warning/stopping metrics were consistent across all experiments. For an average overcharge time of 140 minutes, the average warning was issued 124 minutes before the failure and the average E-stop was triggered 94 minutes before failure. As a test of using ultrasound for early warning detection, a battery was forced into overcharge and returned to normal cycling conditions based on the previously determined warning metric. Both the voltage profile and the ultrasound measurements returned to their baseline behavior, indicating that ultrasonic detection can not only identify battery failure before a catastrophic event, but can also provide early enough warnings such that overcharges can be detected and corrected quickly enough so the battery does not need to be decommissioned.]

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Order-disorder versus displacive transitions in Jahn-Teller active layered materials

Large anharmonic vibrations often play a crucial role in dynamically stabilizing crystalline phases whose structures are unstable at low temperature. Although the average structure of such phases can be measured through diffraction experiments, their local structure remains a challenge to characterize and understand. Dynamically stabilized phases are often classified as order/disorder or displacive based on the qualitative nature of their local structure. A robust understanding of how chemistry determines this distinction in behavior, however, is lacking. This article presents a parametric study of an anharmonic vibrational model that describes the transition from a cooperative to a noncooperative Jahn-Teller distortion in layered oxides—a class of materials widely used in Li-ion and Na-ion batteries. The results illustrate how the shape of the energy landscape determines the extent to which the high-temperature phase has order/disorder vs displacive character. In this work, we find that the nature of the high-temperature phase is determined by a competition between the strength of the elastic coupling between Jahn-Teller distortions at nearby sites and the energy scale driving the Jahn-Teller distortion. A comparison of the model to energy landscapes calculated with density-functional theory suggests that the high-temperature phases of the Jahn-Teller active layered compounds LiNiO 2 , NaNiO 2 , LiMnO 2 , and NaMnO 2 exhibit order/disorder character.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2025

Cycling Performance and Structure Evolution of Co-Free Lithium- and Manganese-Rich Layered Oxides in Lithium-Ion Batteries

Lithium- and manganese-rich (LMR) layered oxides are high-capacity cathode materials that are being considered for electric vehicle (EV) lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Here, we investigate the electrochemical cycling behavior of cells containing a cobalt-free LMR oxide, 0.3Li 2 MnO 3 ·0.7LiMn 0.5 Ni 0.5 O 2 , paired with either Li or graphite anodes. Two- and three-electrode cells are cycled under varying conditions to examine the effects of oxide activation, upper cutoff voltage, separator type, and electrolyte composition. Post-cycling characterization of harvested electrodes, with electrochemical, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and solid-state 6 Li nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy techniques, are used to correlate cell performance changes with redox state evolution in the oxide and Li inventory shifts in the cell. Our results show that capacity fade and impedance rise primarily originate at the graphite anode and LMR cathode, respectively. Notably, while Ni undergoes reversible redox, Mn shows no evidence of bulk redox activity even in highly-aged electrodes: only relithiated LMR electrodes show some reduction of Mn. Graphite electrodes degrade due to particle isolation and SEI growth, exacerbated by Mn dissolution and deposition on graphite anodes. These findings highlight the coupled structural and electrochemical degradation mechanisms in LMR/graphite cells and underscore lithium inventory retention and electrode interfacial stability as critical factors for enhancing long-term performance.

Badami, Pavan P. [Argonne National Laboratory (ANL↗
DOE OSTI2023

Low-Energy Ion Scattering Intensities from Supported Nanoparticles: The Spherical Cap Model

Supported nanoparticles are of great importance to many technologies like fuel processing and chemical synthesis using catalysts and electrocatalysts, energy storage and generation using fuel cells and batteries, electrochemistry, magnetic information storage, and more. Low-energy ion scattering spectroscopy (LEIS) with noble gas ions like He+ is a powerful tool for the characterization of nanoparticles dispersed across flat support surfaces due to its ability to probe the elemental composition in the topmost atomic layer of a surface, providing quantitative information regarding the size and number density of nanoparticles. In this work, we present a derivation of the LEIS intensities expected from nanoparticles and the support material as a function of the average particle size, their number per unit area, and their contact angle with the support when modeled as spherical caps of the nanoparticle material dispersed over the surface of a flat support. The model assumes that the ion intensities are determined only by the physical blocking of linear ion trajectories and independent of the tilt angle of the local surface relative to the incident and scattered ion directions, an assumption we support by quantitative modeling of published data which tested tilt-angle effects. The model is a generalization to arbitrary contact angles of the hemispherical cap model, which assumes 90° contact angle and has been widely used to model spectroscopic signals in LEIS (and also in Auger and photoelectron spectroscopies) during nanoparticle growth. Here, this new model quantitatively reveals how LEIS signals are sensitive not only to the diameter and number density of the nanoparticle but also to their contact angle (or height/diameter ratio). With the use of additional data (e.g., from microscopy or adsorption microcalorimetry), the model presented here will enable more accurate determination of the average size, shape, and number density of supported nanoparticles based on LEIS intensity measurements.

99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS↗
DOE OSTI2023

Laser-Induced Trapping of Metastable Amorphous AlO x /C (2.5 < x ≤ 3.5) Nanocomposites: Implications for Use as Solid Phase Gas Generators

The synthesis of kinetically "frozen" metastable nanostructures remains elusive. This limitation has severely restricted the current paradigms in materials discovery. We overcame this challenge by phase-stabilizing unusually hyperoxidized and metastable amorphous aluminum oxide (a-AlO x ; 2.5 < x ≤ 3.5) nanostructures. Specifically, we employed laser ablation synthesis in solution (LASiS) as a one-pot nonequilibrium technique to achieve this pivotal advancement. Structural and compositional characterizations of the as-synthesized material reveal highly disordered a-AlO x nanoparticles that are remarkably stabilized by interfacial monolayers of ordered carbon atoms. Both structure and chemical composition were confirmed with disparate characterization methods at different length scales. The nanoparticles of sizes less than10 nm were stable even at elevated temperatures. Only at temperatures higher than 750 °C do the a-AlO x structures undergo a solid-solid phase transition that culminates in the formation of stable α-Al 2 O 3 while releasing excess trapped gases. In conclusion, such disruptive materials can find applications in emerging technologies seeking metastable phase-change materials for solid phase gas generators, batteries, neuromorphic computing, and energetic additives.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2020

Oak Ridge Spoofing and Interference Test Battery (OAKBAT) - Pure Tones

This dataset contains the pure 1.57542 GHz (L1) pure tone recordings provided to allow characterization of the recording equipment used to digitize the OAKBAT scenarios. The equipment includes the cable, two LNAs, and the software-defined radio. The files are binary data in the format described in the paper: Albright, A., Powers, S. Bonior, J., and Combs, F., A Tool for Furthering GNSS Security Research: The Oak Ridge Spoofing and Interference Test Battery (OAKBAT), in Proceedings of ION GNSS+ 2020, 2020. The metadata, equipment documentation and configuration files, collection procedures and more materials that allow the independent reproduction of the OAKBAT data are https://github.com/oakbat/. Additionally, this site includes a complete listing of all the RF data files, not just this series, available as part of OAKBAT.

42 ENGINEERING↗