Functional materials analysis usingin situandin operandoX-ray and neutron scattering

Abstract

In situ and in operando studies are commonplace and necessary in functional materials research. This review highlights recent developments in the analysis of functional materials using state-of-the-art in situ and in operando X-ray and neutron scattering and analysis. Examples are given covering a number of important materials areas, alongside a description of the types of information that can be obtained and the experimental setups used to acquire them.

Versatile electrochemical cell for Li/Na-ion batteries and high-throughput setup for combined operando X-ray diffraction and absorption spectroscopy

“…Operando characterization avoids these problems: short-lived intermediates and nonlinearities in behavior can be resolved; different charge rates can be applied and time-dependent processes under nonequilibrium conditions can be studied; long-term cycling experiments become practically feasible; and activation/fading processes can be investigated. In recent decades operando (in situ) diffraction, spectroscopy and other advanced characterization techniques have substantially contributed to our understanding of electrode systems (Harks et al, 2015;Peterson & Papadakis, 2015;Sharma et al, 2015;Nelson Weker & Toney, 2015;Amalraj & Aurbach, 2011;Marco & Veder, 2010;McBreen, 2009;Nová k et al, 2000;Morcrette et al, 2002).…”

Does crystallography need a new name?

“…The diverse impact that crystallography is having is plainly evident in the pages of IUCrJ. Crystallography sheds insights into materials as diverse as metallic nanocrystals, thin films and polymers (Peterson & Papadakis, 2015), colloids (Sandy, 2014) or the development of new wide-band-gap semiconductors (Klimm, 2014). Crystallography and crystallographers have always been inclusive and the challenge ahead lies in what we define as crystallography going forward into the future.…”

A novel high-throughput setup forin situpowder diffraction on coin cell batteries

“…To reveal the complex chemical phenomena that can occur during charge and discharge of a battery, characterization methods which measure the structure 'on site' (in situ) are indispensable. A variety of in situ spectroscopy, in situ imaging and in situ diffraction techniques have attracted much attention and their application is increasing, as supported by several reviews over the past decade (Amalraj & Aurbach, 2011;Dunsch, 2011;Harks et al, 2015;McBreen, 2009;Peterson & Papadakis, 2015;Nelson Weker & Toney, 2015;Sharma et al, 2015), to investigate structural and electronic properties of working batteries, often with multimethod setups, e.g. X-ray diffraction or X-ray absorption spectroscopy combined with (optical) spectroscopy or mass spectrometry.…”