X-ray Tomography Applied to Electrochemical Devices and Electrocatalysis
Jack Todd Lang, Devashish Kulkarni, Collin Foster, Ying Huang, Mitchell Sepe, Sirivatch Shimpalee, Dilworth Y. Parkinson, Iryna V. Zenyuk
Abstract
X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a nondestructive three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique used for studying morphological properties of porous and nonporous materials. In the field of electrocatalysis, X-ray CT is mainly used to quantify the morphology of electrodes and extract information such as porosity, tortuosity, pore-size distribution, and other relevant properties. For electrochemical systems such as fuel cells, electrolyzers, and redox flow batteries, X-ray CT gives the ability to study evolution of critical features of interest in ex situ, in situ, and operando environments. These include catalyst degradation, interface evolution under real conditions, formation of new phases (water and oxygen), and dynamics of transport processes. These studies enable more efficient device and electrode designs that will ultimately contribute to widespread decarbonization efforts.