A new quantum sensing strategy has been designed via researchers at the university of cambridge, which units out to capture the nanoscale electrochemical evolution happening within batteries. The extreme conditions reveal new insights into material behavior and failure mechanisms that are likely to be used to develop advanced battery technologies for the future.
Unlocking the Mysteries on the Nanoscale
The main factors influencing the battery performance are non-uniformity and ageing of single electrode particles. This inability to observe the reaction mechanisms in such a non-invasive manner has limited our general understanding of failure modes and consequently have hindered the advancement of battery technologies and extension of their lifetimes.
Nonetheless, detecting real-time electrochemical evolution on this small a length scale has been a major challenge because existing sensing methods do not have the necessary high spatial resolution and sensitivity. That is, until now.
A research team of the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Science has developed a novel quantum sensing method based on diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers. In combination, the NV sensors deliver spatial resolution a million times better than our eyes, spanning the 1 nm to 1 um regime, and can detect temperature changes or mechanical stress as well as magnetic fields. It is the ideal for real-time, non-destructive monitoring of battery electrode particles.
Bringing Batteries to Life
The researchers combine this quantum sensing system with a new type of battery, making an extraordinarily disciplined tool to in-situ monitor the electronic properties and processes of the nanoscale active material particles, demonstrated on Fe3O4 electrodes.
New insights gleaned from their findings were surprisingly more in-depth into the electrochemical transformation that happens inside the battery. During the discharge, they witnessed nonequilibrium phase transitions from Fe3O4 to FeO and then to Fe in a nonuniform manner with significant microscopic kinetic heterogeneity at various locations. Additionally, the research revealed novel superparamagnetic behavior in Fe particles, which had previously gone largely unnoticed.
In addition, their multithreaded sensing method enabled the researchers to uncover a striking difference on magnetic field as well as temperature distribution within the electrode. These discoveries represent a new horizon in the understanding of materials performance and degradation mechanisms on the nanoscale.
Conclusion
This breakthrough in the quantum sensing approach using diamond NV centers is edging closer to a milestone achievement in the realm of battery research. This remarkable spatial resolution and sensitivity could lead to a paradigm shift in the way we study electrochemical processes at the nanoscale — accelerating the development of more stable, efficient, sustainable batteries. As we expand the horizons of energy-storage research, this new quantum way to monitor progress promises to revolutionize our understanding of battery performance and accelerate next-generation sustainable energy solutions.
