Interface Aspects in All‐Solid‐State Li‐Based Batteries Reviewed

Extensive efforts have been made to improve the Li-ionic conductivity of solid electrolytes (SE) for developing promising all-solid-state Li-based batteries (ASSB). Recent studies suggest that minimizing the existing interface problems is even more important than maximizing the conductivity of SE. Interfaces are essential in ASSB, and their properties significantly influence the battery performance. Interface problems, arising from both physical and (electro)chemical material properties, can significantly inhibit the transport of electrons and Li-ions in ASSB. Consequently, interface problems may result in interlayer formation, high impedances, immobilization of moveable Li-ions, loss of active host sites available to accommodate Li-ions, and Li-dendrite formation, all causing significant storage capacity losses and ultimately battery failures. The characteristic differences of interfaces between liquid- and solid-type Li-based batteries are presented here. Interface types, interlayer origin, physical and chemical structures, properties, time evolution, complex interrelations between various factors, and promising interfacial tailoring approaches are reviewed. Furthermore, recent advances in the interface-sensitive or depth-resolved analytical tools that can provide mechanistic insights into the interlayer formation and strategies to tailor the interlayer formation, composition, and properties are discussed

Performance of a Position Sensitive Neutron Scintillation Detector based on Silicon Photomultipliers

In recent years, the price increase of 3He has triggered the search for alternative neutron detectors. One of the viable options is a scintillation based neutron detector. Usually, Photomultiplier tubes (PMTs) are used in these detectors for photodetection. However, the increase in performance requirements such as the operability in magnetic field and spatial resolution, necessitates an advanced neutron detector. Therefore, we developed a detector prototype with an active area of 13 cm x 13 cm using Silicon photomultipliers (SiPM). As compared to PMTs, SiPMs offer more compactness, more robustness and a lower sensitivity to magnetic fields. The final detector is aimed to be used in the future at the TREFF instrument of the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ) in Garching, Germany for neutron reflectometry (NR). First measurements were carried out at TREFF and at the dedicated detector test instrument V17 at BER-II of HZB in Berlin, Germany. In this work, we report the results for detection efficiency, gamma discrimination, two-dimensional position resolution, count rate, and detection linearity

A new neutron depth profiling spectrometer at the JCNS for a focused neutron beam

© 2020, © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. A new neutron depth profiling (NDP) spectrometer has been designed and built for the use at a high intensity focused cold neutron beam of the reflectometer MARIA at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ, Germany). The extremely high neutron flux at the sample position of MARIA joined with the multiple charged particle detectors allows less than 10 s sampling rate and paves the way to study the kinetics of Li ions in thin-film microbatteries. The performance of the spectrometer with standard calibration samples and (Formula presented.) amorphous thin films is presented; possibilities to operando study the Li distribution inside thin-film rechargeable lithium batteries are discussed

A new neutron depth profiling spectrometer at the JCNS for a focused neutron beam

A new neutron depth profiling (NDP) spectrometer has been designed and built for the use at a high intensity focused cold neutron beam of the reflectometer MARIA at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ, Germany). The extremely high neutron flux at the sample position of MARIA joined with the multiple charged particle detectors allows less than 10 s sampling rate and paves the way to study the kinetics of Li ions in thin-film microbatteries. The performance of the spectrometer with standard calibration samples and LiNbO3 amorphous thin films is presented; possibilities to operando study the Li distribution inside thin-film rechargeable lithium batteries are discussed

Conceptual Design Report Jülich High Brilliance Neutron Source (HBS)

Neutrons are an essential tool for science and industry for probing the structure and dynamics of matter from the mesoscale to the picoscale and from seconds to femtoseconds. In Europe research, industry and society benefit from a globally unique environment of various neutron sources with the flagship facilities ILL in Grenoble, France, and ESS in Lund, Sweden. The latter is currently under construction and will represent the world’s most powerful neutron facility. The unique capabilities of neutrons and the European neutron infrastructure have been highlighted in reports by the European Neutron Scattering Association (ENSA) and the ESFRI Neutron Landscape Group recently. More than 8000 users utilize the available neutron sources in Europe, requesting nearly twice the available capacity offered per year. This high demand for research with neutrons is managed by peer review processes established to permit access to the facilities resulting in a highly competitive situation which sometimes hampers access by well-qualified applicants. The main processes to release neutrons from atomic nuclei are: (i) fission in nuclear reactors, (ii) spallation using high-power proton accelerators, and (iii) nuclear reactions induced by low-energy protons or deuterons. The first two techniques are used very successfully in Europe and offer the highest neutron source strength with versatile options. In view of the continuously high demand for neutron experiments by science and industry and the phasing out of existing reactor-based neutron facilities in Europe in the near future, new solutions and strategies are required to provide sustainable and effective access to neutrons in Europe. New neutron infrastructures have to provide novel capabilities not offered by the present-day facilities based on the ageing suite of research reactors in Europe. Enhanced performance does not necessarily rely on increased source strength, which goes hand-in-hand with cost increase, but can include improved flexibility and accessibility, specialization on particular important societal challenges or optimization on brilliance for small beams. In particular, cost-effective solutions are required to compensate the potential capacity loss and complement high-flux sources such as the new ESS spallation neutron source. The High Brilliance neutron Source (HBS) project will demonstrate the technical and operational concept for a neutron infrastructure based on a low-energy proton accelerator. HBS is designed as a very flexible neutron infrastructure with neutron beams optimized for brilliance. It will host a full suite of highly competitive instruments. Thus HBS will be capable to serve as a national or regional highly attractive neutron research centre. The HBS source will benet of state-of-the-art accelerator technology, combined with unique target-moderator concepts. HBS will mark a change in paradigm for research with neutrons where every individual neutron instrument will have its own neutron source with optimized pulse structure and a moderator adapted to the specific requirements of the instrument. Thus it will provide a unique and attractive option for achieving optimum and efficient brilliance for all neutron experiments at a lower cost compared to present-day large-scale neutron facilities