Paper-Like 100% Si Nanowires Electrodes Integrated with Argyrodite Li6PS5Cl Solid Electrolyte
In a new publication in Batteries & Supercaps from the group of Juan J. Vilatela at the IMDEA Materials Institute, 100% Si nanowire electrodes were demonstrated in an all-solid-state battery cell. A CompreCell 12DP in a CompreFrame was used to apply and monitor the pressure on the stack in-situ during cycling of the cell. Minimizing the swelling of silicon-based electrode materials is key to improving their performance, and the integrated force sensor allows for online monitoring of the swelling process as lithium is inserted during the charging process.
Pressure monitoring during cycling
The Si nanowire electrode is produced as a paper-like sheet that can be calendered onto copped foil. It was pressed together with LPSCl electrolyte and an InLi composite counter electrode at 82 MPa, as shown in the schematic below. The potential of the Si electrode with respect to InLi is shown in black below, while the pressure measured simultaneously is shown in orange. There is no large change in pressure until the end of the charge step, when the pressure suddenly starts to increase linearly. This process is reversible and the pressure decreases linearly again during the beginning of discharge, and is repeated again during the next cycle. In this way, the swelling can be studied to aid in the efforts to reduce it, ultimately prolonging battery cycle life.
Read the original publication: E. Sánchez-Ahijón, A. Pendashteh, J. J. Vilatela, Batteries & Supercaps 2024, e202400292. https://doi.org/10.1002/batt.202400292
Pressure changes induced by the intercalation of lithium in the Si nanowire electrode, measured in the CompreFrame setup.