Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy as a Diagnostic Tool for the Study of LiCoO2 Cathode of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abstract

Positron annihilation spectroscopy using lifetime and Doppler broadening allows the characterization of the lithiation state in LiCoO2 thin film used in cathode of lithium-ion batteries. The lifetime results reflect positron spillover because of the presence of graphite in between the oxide grains in real cathode Li-ion batteries. This spillover produces an effect in the measured positron parameters which are sensitive to delocalized electrons from lithium atoms as in Compton scattering results. The first component of the positron lifetime corresponds to a bulk-like state and can be used to characterize the state of charge of the cathode while the second component represents a surface state at the grain-graphite interface.

Quantum view of Li-ion high mobility at carbon-coated cathode interfaces

“…The first lifetime component has a similar value in all cases (145–165 ps). 25 Theoretical calculations give a positron lifetime of 131 ps in the LCO bulk crystal. 26 The measured values indicate that τ 1 , which in carbon coated samples is increased after ball milling, is an unresolved lifetime component that includes both the bulk as well as the vacancy-like defect contributions.…”

Positron Annihilation Spectroscopy as a Diagnostic Tool for Probing the First‐Cycle Defect Evolution in Magnesium–Sulfur Battery Electrodes

“…A well-known method in materials science, positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAL) finds extensive application in metals and metal alloys, [6] porous materials, [7] semiconductors, [8][9][10] solar cells, [10] and other fields. [11][12][13] PAL has been used to investigate the presence and change of defects due to magnesium extraction and uptake in cathode electrode materials [14] and further to corroborate the defect situation in electrode. [15,16] PAL is a powerful technique for probing nanometer-free volume voids and has lately been used in the battery field.…”

“…[15,16] PAL is a powerful technique for probing nanometer-free volume voids and has lately been used in the battery field. [11] Positron, the first antiparticle ever identified, may take an electron to form the neutral atom positronium (Ps). The para-Ps (p-Ps) and the ortho-Ps (o-Ps) Magnesium-sulfur batteries are elusive candidates for the post-lithium-ion battery.…”

Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy as a Special Technique for the Solid-State Characterization of Pharmaceutical Excipients, Drug Delivery Systems, and Medical Devices—A Systematic Review

“…The method is based on the lifetime and intensity of ortho-positronium (o-Ps) atoms in free volumes of given structures; positronium (Ps) trapping in vacancies has a characteristic lifetime and, therefore, allows one to measure the size of a vacancy cluster, providing information about the structural characteristics of solids, liquids, and semi-solid materials [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]. PALS is utilized in several sectors for the examination of energy carriers [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ], catalysts [ 9 , 10 , 11 ], and packaging materials [ 12 , 13 ] and for interrogating defects and pores in metals [ 14 , 15 ], ceramics [ 16 , 17 ], and polymers [ 3 ]. The principles of positron annihilation in condensed matter have been extensively discussed [ 18 , 19 ].…”