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Microfocused X‐ray Study on Precipitate Formation in the Separator Region of Nonaqueous Li–O 2 Batteries
Author(s) -
Shui JiangLan,
Okasinski John S.,
Zhao Dan,
Almer Jonathan D.,
Liu DiJia
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.201200555
Subject(s) - separator (oil production) , overpotential , cathode , electrolyte , anode , materials science , chemical engineering , synchrotron , analytical chemistry (journal) , electrochemistry , chemistry , chromatography , electrode , optics , physics , engineering , thermodynamics
Using a microfocused synchrotron X‐ray diffraction (μ‐XRD) method, we systematically investigated the distributions of insoluble lithium precipitates, which formed through electrolyte decomposition, separately in all three regions (cathode, separator, and anode) of failed batteries with a spatial resolution of 20 μm. We found unexpectedly that there was a significantly higher concentration (almost twice as much) of precipitates in the separator than in the cathode. SEM revealed that the precipitates grew on the separator fiber surface, ultimately obstructing the pores serving as the ion‐transport channel. A “refurbished” battery, which was composed of a spent separator from a failed battery, showed a much higher overpotential and shorter cycle life than that found in a new battery.