Probing Multiscale Transport and Inhomogeneity in a Lithium-Ion Pouch Cell Using In Situ Neutron Methods

Here, we demonstrate for the first time the lithiation process in graphitic anodes using insitu neutron radiography in a pouch cell format. The neutron absorption contrast shows a direct correlation between degree of lithiation and the discharge voltage plateau. Furthermore, we provide a semi-quantitative comparison between the observed spatial variations of neutron attenuation line profile across the graphite electrode and the calculated lithium concentration profiles computed under similar electrochemical discharge conditions. In conjunction, in situ neutron diffraction of a similar pouch cell under identical test protocol was carried to obtain information about the local phase changes upon lithiation. Combined in-situ radiography and diffraction opens up a powerful nondestructive method to understand the multi-scale nature of lithium transport and degradation in practical lithium-ion cells.