Hard X-ray-induced damage on carbon–binder matrix for in situ synchrotron transmission X-ray microscopy tomography of Li-ion batteries

Abstract

The electrode of Li-ion batteries is required to be chemically and mechanically stable in the electrolyte environment for in situ monitoring by transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM). Evidence has shown that continuous irradiation has an impact on the microstructure and the electrochemical performance of the electrode. To identify the root cause of the radiation damage, a wire-shaped electrode is soaked in an electrolyte in a quartz capillary and monitored using TXM under hard X-ray illumination. The results show that expansion of the carbon–binder matrix by the accumulated X-ray dose is the key factor of radiation damage. For in situ TXM tomography, intermittent X-ray exposure during image capturing can be used to avoid the morphology change caused by radiation damage on the carbon–binder matrix.