Electron paramagnetic resonance imaging for real-time monitoring of Li-ion batteries

M Sathiya (1, 2) , Jean-Bernard Leriche (3) , E Salager (4, 5) , D Gourier (6) , J.-M. Tarascon (1, 4, 2) , H. Vezin (7)

1 UPMC - Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6
2 Collège de France - Chaire Chimie du solide et énergie
3 LRCS - Laboratoire réactivité et chimie des solides - UMR CNRS 7314
4 RS2E - Réseau sur le stockage électrochimique de l'énergie
5 CEMHTI - Conditions Extrêmes et Matériaux : Haute Température et Irradiation
6 PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres
7 LASIRE - Laboratoire Avancé de Spectroscopie pour les Intéractions la Réactivité et l'Environnement - UMR 8516

Batteries for electrical storage are central to any future alternative energy paradigm. The ability to probe the redox mechanisms occurring at electrodes during their operation is essential to improve battery performances. Here we present the first report on Electron Paramagnetic Resonance operando spectroscopy and in situ imaging of a Li-ion battery using Li 2 Ru 0.75 Sn 0.25 O 3 , a high-capacity (4270 mAh g À 1) Li-rich layered oxide, as positive electrode. By monitoring operando the electron paramagnetic resonance signals of Ru 5 þ and paramagnetic oxygen species, we unambiguously prove the formation of reversible (O 2) n À species that contribute to their high capacity. In addition, we visualize by imaging with micrometric resolution the plating/stripping of Li at the negative electrode and highlight the zones of nucleation and growth of Ru 5 þ /oxygen species at the positive electrode. This efficient way to locate 'electron'-related phenomena opens a new area in the field of battery characterization that should enable future breakthroughs in battery research.

Mots clés: Materials science; Chemical sciences; Analytical chemistry

Domaines: Electromagnétisme; Chimie théorique et/ou physique

M Sathiya, Jean-Bernard Leriche, E Salager, D Gourier, J.-M. Tarascon, et al.. Electron paramagnetic resonance imaging for real-time monitoring of Li-ion batteries. Nature Communications, 2015, 6, pp.6276. ⟨10.1038/ncomms7276⟩. ⟨hal-01116479⟩