That is until now, thanks to a revolutionary quantum sensing technique developed by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences which captures nanoscale electrochemical evolution in batteries allowing us for the first time an unparalleled look inside battery materials as they operate and fail.
Shedding Light on Mysteries of the Nanoscale
However, the non-uniformity and failure of individual electrode particles is a key promoter of overall battery performance. Deciphering the mechanisms and failure modes of reactions at the nanoscale is essential for the development of new battery technologies that last.
Nevertheless, following the electrochemical evolution of the reaction in real time at this scale has proved to be a difficult challenge because existing sensing methods are just not fast enough. However, these techniques typically do not have the spatial resolution or sensitivity required to observe in real time the many complex processes that take place inside battery electrodes.
However, a team of researchers at the Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences turned this to their advantage by developing an innovative solution for remote sensing using diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers. These NV sensors make it possible to resolve the temperature, stress, and magnetic fields on a spatial scale anywhere from 1 nanometer up to 1 micrometer.
Revealing the Electrochemical Nanoscale_arguments
Here the team, using an integrated device which combines a quantum sensing system with a battery, which could show in situ monitoring of nanoscale active material particles as shown on their study on the Fe3O4 electrodes.
The results have uncovered some interesting features of the non-uniform phase transformations that take place during discharge. They noted the electrode underwent a dramatic conversion sequence from Fe3O4 to FeO and subsequently to Fe, but with significant local kinetic disparities throughout different regions of the electrode.
The study also found that the Fe particles display superparamagnetic behavior which is an important consideration for battery performance and life. More importantly, and using their multi-threaded sensing technique the researchers exposed these significant deviations in magnetic field and temperature profile across each electrode.
Conclusion
Should all go as planned, the quantum sensing technique from the Chinese researchers could change everything we know about batteries behavior that on a nanoscale. This novel method delivering nanometre spatial resolution and sensitivity enables new insights into material dynamics and failure mechanisms which can underpin substantial advances in battery technology translation towards increased energy storage device life for superior performance.
