Author: Olof Gustafsson
Title: An operando cell for dynamic X-ray diffraction with controlled stack pressure
Affiliation: Uppsala University
Abstract
Designing an operando X-ray diffraction cell can be challenging from both an electrochemical and a diffraction point of view. The cell needs to perform in a similar electrochemical manner as typical lab scale devices, such as pouch cells or coin cells. At the same time, the cell must be suitable for diffraction, i.e. give a pattern with as little contribution from background and secondary phases as possible in order to study the active material. An often overlooked parameter for operando studies of electrode materials which can impact the electrochemical performance is the stack pressure.
Utilizing our own modified version of the AMPIX cell, stack pressure can easily be set with the use of an external wave spring. The cell was utilized on the P02.1 beam line at the Petra III synchrotron. Phase behaviour in the active material could be tracked accurately using X-ray diffraction, while simultaneously obtaining good electrochemical performance comparable to that seen with pouch cells.