Investigation of novel electrode structure for a new class of conversion electrode materials in solid-state batteries by in operando X-ray and neutron

I will be aiming to synthesise a novel solid state electrolyte material investigating various methods to find the best possible way for synthesis. Lithium argyrodite will be the material used as the solid state electrolyte with both solid state and liquid synthesis used to find the better performing electrolyte. Characterisation of the materials will be carried out and compared to literature for the overall structure of the materials. This will be followed up with electrochemical testing on these materials and once a satisfactory synthesis method has been found this will be used to make higher quantity of the electrolyte to be put into cells.

These cells will be taken to Diamond Light Source and ISIS to be tested in operando via synchrotron X-ray Compton imaging, synchrotron X-ray computed tomography (sXCT), and neutron imaging/tomography to determine the effects of cathode structure on the dynamic process of Li diffusion and Li insertion into and extraction out of the conversion cathode materials and the lithium anode in SSLMBs.The Project will also take advantage of new high-resolution neutron imaging capability at ISIS/IMAT. Neutron imaging can be sensitive to Li-concentration, so the combination of X-ray Compton imaging with Neutron tomography would provide a direct and independent confirmation of Li-distribution from the measurements using the new X-ray Compton tomography technique. X-ray and neutron tomography will also confirm the ability of thick cathode structures to accommodate electrode volume changes, preventing battery fracture.