Advanced characterization techniques for solid state lithium battery research

Solid state batteries have attracted significant attention within the battery community over the last decade, due to the feasibility of developing a new generation of rechargeable Li batteries offering safer and long-term performance. However, many scientific and technical challenges and difficulties still need to be overcome before this new technology can be used commercially. Advanced characterization techniques provide powerful tools for studying these complex and elusive chemical/physical processes in solid-state batteries. Over the last decade, researchers have explored many sophisticated ex-situ and in-situ techniques, such as synchrotron X-ray techniques, solid-state NMR techniques, neutron scattering techniques, etc., to probe the undisclosed underlying mechanisms of solid-state batteries. In this review, we present a comprehensive overview of recent advances in these three characterization techniques in solid state battery research. Some perspectives of the future evolution of the techniques are also presented.