Electrochemical characterization of energy storage systems

Lithium and post-lithium-ion batteries and electrochemical double-layer capacitors

 

The development of high-performance energy storage systems (lithium-ion, lithium-sulfur, sodium-ion, etc.) for diverse applications requires tailored materials. The basis of this electrochemical material development is a comprehensive understanding of the electrochemical processes underlying the storage concepts and an electrochemical characterization of the materials. The electrochemistry group at Fraunhofer IKTS has a wide range of electrochemical (charge-discharge methods, EIS, cyclic voltammetry, transient methods) and spectroscopic methods (FTIR, Raman spectroscopy) at its disposal to investigate such processes – across scales from the electrode to the individual particle.

In addition, electrochemical investigations are directly coupled with complementary investigation methods in the form of operando thermography, X-ray diffraction and dilatometry. In addition to determining technologically relevant parameters such as cell voltage, specific capacitance, volume change, water content or cycle stability, the work focuses in particular on mechanism-oriented investigations. These are supported by theoretical model considerations.

 

Equipment

 

• Gloveboxes
• Climate chamber (-40 to 120 °C)
• Multi-channel potentiostat (VMP3, Biologic) and Multichannel cyclizer (BCS, Biologic)
• Potentiostats (Reference 3000, 1000, 600, Gamry and SP200, Biologic) with ultra low current option
• Measurement cells (2 and 3 electrode arrangement) for electrochemical, thermal and spectro-electrochemical investigations
• Electrochemical dilatometer (ECD-3-nano, EL-CELL)
• FTIR/Raman spectrometer

 

Services offered

 

• Electrochemical characterization of electrode materials for accumulators (lithium-ion, lithium-sulfur, sodium-ion, etc.) and double-layer capacitors
• Investigation of reaction processes of energy storages
• Determination of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of electrode reactions (diffusion, activation/reaction energies)
• Model-based optimization of cell performance and design studies