Electrochemistry

Using its varied portfolio of electrochemical processes, the Electrochemistry working group manufactures, processes and characterizes materials. Through its close ties to the Chair of Inorganic Non-Metallic Materials at Technische Universität Dresden, the group is building the knowledge base for numerous research and development activities of Fraunhofer IKTS.

In the field of energy storage, for instance, material characterization through electrochemical methods is used to gain a thorough understanding of all the electrochemical processes running in battery or capacitor cells. For this purpose, the working group has at its disposal a comprehensive range of electrochemical methods and complementary measurement techniques to be able to determine the capacity, cycle stability, cell voltage and impedance of electrode materials for energy storage devices.

Furthermore, the team also does research on the electrochemical machining (ECM) of materials. With the help of special measuring devices, Fraunhofer IKTS can observe transient processes during electrochemical machining and gain a deep understanding of the anodic processes taking place.

Another focus of research is the production of functional layers for applications in microelectronics, photovoltaics and in corrosion protection and tool engineering. These efforts make use of various methods, such as anodizing, and electrolytic or electrophoretic deposition.

 

Services offered

 

• Electrochemical characterization and elucidation of reaction mechanisms of electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries, solid-state batteries, post-lithium systems, and supercapacitors
• Electrochemical synthesis of nanostructured active materials for energy storage
• Model-based optimization of electrochemical energy storage systems
  
• Electrochemical machining (ECM) of metal-ceramic composites, refractory or valve metals and conventional metallic materials
• Process development for electrolytic and electroless coatings
• Generation of functional coatings for corrosion and wear protection including anodic coatings, hard anodic coatings and plasma electrolytic oxide (PEO) coatings
• Studies on electrochemical corrosion mechanisms of metals, semiconducting ceramics and hybrid materials, degradation studies of coatings and adhesives
• Development of electrochemical polishing processes and chemical etching methods
• Microelectrochemical investigations with high lateral resolution (investigations of micro-joining and precipitation)
• Development of application-specific electrochemical and complementary measurement techniques