Characterisation of Battery Components and Materials
T
he
porous
nature
of
battery
components:
anode,
cathode,
separator
and
solid
electrolyte
and
also
the
finished
electrode
architecture
is
critical
to
the performance and optimization of battery systems.
Porous
characteristics
can
be
described
by
pore
volume,
pore
size
distribution,
volume
porosity,
specific
surface
area
and
density.
Together
these
determine
the
selection
of
raw
materials,
the
formulation
of
components,
such
as
binder
properties
and
the
optimal
processing
conditions
for
electrode production.
These
porous
characteristics
also
profoundly
influence
the
performance
of
the
finished
cell.
The
porous
nature
of
the
raw
materials
and
the
production
steps
applied
to
obtaining
the
finished
cell
determine
the
porosity
of
the
cell.
This
in
turn
influences
electrode
conductivity,
energy
density,
charging
efficiency,
electrolyte
transport
characteristics,
cycling
lifetime,
availability
of
electrochemically
active
sites
and
electrode
degradation.
Complete
understanding
of
the
porous
character
of
materials
is,
therefore,
critical
to
all
stages
of
materials
selection,
cell
development
and
electrode processing.
Key Applications – Materials
Assessment of porous nature of raw materials for formulation
Quality control of incoming raw materials
Surface area and porosity of high area carbons & graphites
Surface area and porosity of active cathode material
Characterisation of inter-particulate porosity
Formulation of binder composition and loading
Measurement of absolute, bulk and particle density
Determination of processing conditions
MCA
Services
offers
a
complete
suite
of
techniques
for
the
characterisation
of
material
porosity
throughout
the
ranges
of
micropores,
through
mesopores
and
macropores.
We
also
have
extensive
experience
and
expertise
to
actively
assist
with
the
interpretation
of
results,
relating
porous
characteristics
to
the
sample
material
and
its
ultimate
application
in
a
battery
system.
Combined
with
state-of-the-art
instrumentation
and
software, offering flexible and extensive reporting options, we help to maximise the amount of high quality data describing sample materials.
Key Analytical Techniques
Mercury Porosimetry – Pore Characterisation
Finished anode and cathode
Separator
Raw material components and blends
Pore size and volume characterisation
Volume porosity determination
Permeability and pore tortuosity determination
Gas Adsorption
Specific Surface Area (BET Area)
Micropore Analysis of high area constituents
Micropore / Mesopore characterisation
Pore size and volume characterisation
Density Analysis
Particle density of raw materials
Absolute density of raw materials and finished components
Bulk density of raw materials and finished components
The
porous
characteristics
of
finished
electrodes
are
partially
determined
by
the
inter-particulate
porosity
of
the
raw
materials,
porosity
within
raw
material
particles,
binder
material
and
loading
and
the
production
conditions
of
calendaring
and
drying.
This
porosity
exerts
profound
influence
over
electrolyte
transport,
availability
of
electrochemically
active
sites,
charge
and
discharge
efficiency
and
capacity,
and
electrode
and
cycle
lifetime.
Pore
sizes
present
within
electrodes
typically
fall
within
the
range
analysed
by
the
mercury
porosimetry
technique.
This
can
be
extended
to
consider
permeability,
a
useful
comparison
tool
when
considering
fluid
flow
through
a
porous
sample.
This
technique
is
also
applicable to the analysis of separator materials where a tight distribution of pore sizes is demanded for efficient transport properties.
Key Applications – Components
Determination of separator pore size and porosity
Optimisation of slurry composition
Optimisation of calendaring process
Optimisation of drying process
Characterisation of anode porosity
Characterisation of cathode porosity
Direct relationships with electrode performance
Efficiency and capacity
Charge & Discharge performance
Cycle lifetime
Charging characteristics
Electrolyte transport
Understanding
particle
porosity
is
vital
to
the
selection
and
control
of
high
surface
area
components,
such
as
carbons
and
graphites,
as
well
as
monitoring
the
cathode
materials
and
assessing
the
intercalation
procedure.
Full
characterisation
of
inter-particulate
porosity
is
essential
as
this
describes
packing
characteristics
which
in
turn
determine
the
processing
conditions
required
and
the
porosity
within
finished
electrodes.
This
involves fully understanding inter-particulate spaces beyond that suggested by particle size alone.
Tel: 01763 262333
Characterisation of Battery Components and Materials
The
porous
nature
of
battery
components:
anode,
cathode,
separator
and
solid
electrolyte
and
also
the
finished
electrode
architecture
is
critical
to
the
performance
and
optimization
of
battery systems.
Porous
characteristics
can
be
described
by
pore
volume,
pore
size
distribution,
volume
porosity,
specific
surface
area
and
density.
Together
these
determine
the
selection
of
raw
materials,
the
formulation
of
components,
such
as
binder
properties
and
the optimal processing conditions for electrode production.
These
porous
characteristics
also
profoundly
influence
the
performance
of
the
finished
cell.
The
porous
nature
of
the
raw
materials
and
the
production
steps
applied
to
obtaining
the
finished
cell
determine
the
porosity
of
the
cell.
This
in
turn
influences
electrode
conductivity,
energy
density,
charging
efficiency,
electrolyte
transport
characteristics,
cycling
lifetime,
availability
of
electrochemically
active
sites
and
electrode
degradation.
Complete
understanding
of
the
porous
character
of
materials
is,
therefore,
critical
to
all
stages
of
materials
selection,
cell
development and electrode processing.
Key Applications – Materials
Assessment of raw materials for formulation
Quality control of incoming raw materials
Surface area and porosity of high area carbons & graphites
Surface area and porosity of active cathode material
Characterisation of inter-particulate porosity
Formulation of binder composition and loading
Measurement of absolute, bulk and particle density
Determination of processing conditions
Understanding
particle
porosity
is
vital
to
the
selection
and
control
of
high
surface
area
components,
such
as
carbons
and
graphites,
as
well
as
monitoring
the
cathode
materials
and
assessing
the
intercalation
procedure.
Full
characterisation
of
inter-particulate
porosity
is
essential
as
this
describes
packing
characteristics
which
in
turn
determine
the
processing
conditions
required
and
the
porosity
within
finished
electrodes.
This
involves
fully
understanding
inter-particulate
spaces
beyond
that
suggested by particle size alone.
Key Applications – Components
Determination of separator pore size and porosity
Optimisation of slurry composition
Optimisation of calendaring process
Optimisation of drying process
Characterisation of anode porosity
Characterisation of cathode porosity
Direct relationships with electrode performance
Efficiency and capacity
Charge & Discharge performance
Cycle lifetime
Charging characteristics
Electrolyte transport
The
porous
characteristics
of
finished
electrodes
are
partially
determined
by
the
inter-particulate
porosity
of
the
raw
materials,
porosity
within
raw
material
particles,
binder
material
and
loading
and
the
production
conditions
of
calendaring
and
drying.
This
porosity
exerts
profound
influence
over
electrolyte
transport,
availability
of
electrochemically
active
sites,
charge
and
discharge
efficiency
and
capacity,
and
electrode
and
cycle
lifetime.
Pore
sizes
present
within
electrodes
typically
fall
within
the
range
analysed
by
the
mercury
porosimetry
technique.
This
can
be
extended
to
consider
permeability,
a
useful
comparison
tool
when
considering
fluid
flow
through
a
porous
sample.
This
technique
is
also
applicable
to
the
analysis
of
separator
materials
where
a
tight
distribution
of
pore
sizes
is
demanded
for
efficient
transport
properties.
Key Analytical Techniques
Mercury Porosimetry – Pore Characterisation
Finished anode and cathode
Separator
Raw material components and blends
Pore size and volume characterisation
Volume porosity determination
Permeability and pore tortuosity determination
Gas Adsorption
Specific Surface Area (BET Area)
Micropore Analysis of high area constituents
Micropore / Mesopore characterisation
Pore size and volume characterisation
Density Analysis
Particle density of raw materials
Absolute density of raw materials and finished components
Bulk density of raw materials and finished components
MCA
Services
offers
a
complete
suite
of
techniques
for
the
characterisation
of
material
porosity
throughout
the
ranges
of
micropores,
through
mesopores
and
macropores.
We
also
have
extensive
experience
and
expertise
to
actively
assist
with
the
interpretation
of
results,
relating
porous
characteristics
to
the
sample
material
and
its
ultimate
application
in
a
battery
system.
Combined
with
state-of-the-art
instrumentation
and
software,
offering
flexible
and
extensive
reporting
options,
we
help
to
maximise
the
amount
of
high
quality
data
describing
sample
materials.
