Spectroscopic neutron imaging for resolving hydrogen dynamics changes in battery electrolytes
Eric Ricardo Carreón Ruiz, Jongmin Lee, José Ignacio Márquez Damián, Markus Ströbl, Genoveva Burca, Robin Woracek, Marc‐Olivier Ebert, Eric Winter, Magali Cochet, Laura Höltschi, Peter M. Kadletz, Mateusz Zlobinski, Anton S. Tremsin, Lorenz Gubler, Pierre Boillat
Abstract
We present the use of spectroscopic neutron imaging (SNI), a bridge between imaging and scattering techniques, for analyzing battery electrolytes. The scattering information of CHn–based organic solvents and electrolytes was mapped in a two-dimensional space through time-of-flight neutron imaging, which exploits the wavelength-dependent properties of hydrogen atoms. The results show partial solidification and concertation change of electrolyte as a function of temperature. Our investigation demonstrates a novel approach to tracking real-time physical and chemical changes in H-containing compounds, by which limitations of new electrolyte mixtures and additives can be evaluated. The sensitivity of SNI to hydrogen in CHn functional groups extends the use of spectral methods to inspect electrolytes in Li-ion batteries and organic solvents for relevant applications beyond electrochemical systems.