Analyzing the SEI on Commercial Battery Electrodes with Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy
Matthijs Holthuijsen
Beyonder
This industry PhD project (a collaboration between Beyonder AS and the University of Stavanger) aims to study early-stage solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) evolution for commercial lithium- and sodium-ion battery chemistries. Raman spectroscopy can be used to study organic and inorganic substances like those found in an SEI, but it generally lacks sensitivity. This problem can be solved by applying nanoparticles to the electrode, a method known as Shell-Isolated Nanoparticle-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SHINERS). Gold nanoparticles around 50nm in size resonate with red laser light, strongly boosting the Raman signals of nearby molecules. This signal enhancement is orders of magnitude stronger than signals from the bulk electrolyte, allowing SEI species to be studied with little interference. This method will be used to study the composition of the SEI with different electrolytes and formation protocols, to help predict long-term battery performance at an early stage.