Subject: Materials Analysis and the Environment

SEPTEMBER 2023, ISSUE 122

WELCOME

The .............

BATTERY IN SPOTLIGHT

Discover our advanced instrumentation solutions tailored for battery research. From investigation of new battery materials to quality control, we provide the tools you need to validate materials and optimize energy storage for higher efficiency and density. Join us on the path to innovation in battery technology.


Rigaku offers a variety of instruments designed for battery research, including:

  1. X-ray Diffraction (XRD): These instruments are crucial for analyzing the crystallographic structure of materials, which is essential for understanding their properties in battery applications.

  2. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF): XRF spectrometers help in elemental analysis, ensuring the quality and composition of materials used in batteries.

  3. X-ray computed tomography (CT)

  4. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS)

Check our microsite to discover Rigaku solutions for Batteries.


>WEBINAR SERIES 


BENEATH THE SURFACE: X-RAY ANALYSES OF BATTERY MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES


Are you facing challenges, such as cost, material shortages, and safety issues, in your battery research, recycling, or process control? In-depth analysis of chemical composition of raw materials, in operando monitoring of crystal structures at an atomic and molecular level, and even non-destructive imaging of assembled batteries can provide insights that help you overcome various challenges.


In this webinar series, you will learn how to leverage X-ray analysis techniques to gain insights into battery performance. We will cover X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescent (XRF) elemental analysis, and X-ray computed tomography (CT) non-destructive testing.


Our expert speakers will guide you through experimental setups and real-world applications.

Whether you're a researcher, engineer, or process control manager, this series will empower you with the knowledge to understand battery behavior at a nanometer to millimeter scale. You can register for individual episodes.


Watch the first episode of the series

> UPCOMING BATTERY WEBINARS

HOW TO RUN IN OPERANDO XRD EXPERIMENTS

Date/time: Wednesday, November 15, 2023 01:00 PM CDT

Presenter: Keisuke Saito, PhD | Co-presenter: Tim Bradow | Host: Aya Takase 


PAIR DISTRIBUTION FUNCTION (PDF) ANALYSIS FOR EVERYDAY BATTERY ANALYSIS

Date/time: Wednesday, February 21, 2024 01:00 PM CDT

Presenter: Simon Bates | Co-presenter: Tim Bradow | Host: Aya Takase

NON-DESTRUCTIVE ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF BATTERIES USING XRF

Date/time: Wednesday, June 19, 2024 01:00 PM CDT

Presenter: Amber Quevy | Co-presenter: Tim Bradow | Host: Aya Takase

NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION OF BATTERIES USING X-RAY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

Date/time: Wednesday, August 21, 2024 01:00 PM CDT

Presenter: Angela Criswell | Co-presenter: Tim Bradow | Host: Aya Takase

> BATTERY TOPICS IN RIGAKU JOURNAL


Utilization of X-ray diffraction data in machine-learning based material exploration for all-solid-state lithium batteries


Many researchers have been developing and analyzing potential electrode materials and solid electrolytes, with a particular focus on crystalline materials. All-solid-state lithium batteries would give rise to the possibility of all battery components being made from crystalline materials; therefore, the importance of phase identification and crystal structure analyses by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements will increase. In this technical note, we will introduce XRD measurements and explore how the data can be used in the search for materials related to all-solid-state batteries, along with examples of our own research.

>Read full article


Chemical State Analysis by X-Ray Emission Spectroscopy

We are evaluating the applicability of Si-based negative electrode materials and next-generation battery materials for lithium-ion batteries using double-crystal spectroscopy with high-energy resolution. Quantitative analysis results of Li–Si alloy composition and side reaction products were reported based on changes in the Si Kβ spectral profile during electrochemical charging and discharging. It is known that the X-ray emission spectrum changes depending on the chemical state of the material, but the technique is not actively applied to chemical state analysis currently. In this paper, as the basis for describing the X-ray emission analysis method, we explain the optical system required to obtain high resolution, describe the interpretation of the X-ray emission spectrum and spectral changes due to the chemical state, and introduce application examples.

>Read full article


Characterization of lithium-ion battery materials with SmartLab

To examine the crystallization and phase ID analysis of synthesized battery materials, lab-scale X-ray diffractometers that are readily available for research are frequently used. On the other hand, operando (or in-situ) measurement of the changes in the crystal structure of the positive and negative electrode materials during the charging and discharging processes are frequently conducted at synchrotron facilities where high-intensity X-rays are available. Recently, operando measurement has become possible even with lab-scale X-ray diffractometers due to improved performance of X-ray sources, optical elements, and detectors. This article introduces examples of characterizing lithium-ion battery materials using SmartLab.

>Read full article

> BATTERY NEWS

September 6, 2023: Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory discovered a previously unknown reaction mechanism that reveals the reason for the short lifetimes of lithium-sulfur batteries. Scaled up to commercial size, these batteries, which have several advantages over lithium-ion batteries, show a rapid decline in performance with repeated charge and discharge.


September 11, 2023: Scientists from the University of Cincinnati have created a redox-flow battery that could lead to more environmentally friendly energy solutions. This battery eliminates the expensive and relatively inefficient membrane found in conventional designs. This development is particularly significant for optimizing the extensive energy storage needs of wind and solar farms.


September 13, 2023: By examining X-ray images, researchers at MIT, Stanford University, SLAC National Accelerator, and the Toyota Research Institute have observed how lithium ions flow through a battery interface, which could help engineers optimize the lithium iron phosphate material’s design.


September 21, 2023: Scientists from Dalhousie University published the results of experiments that improve lithium-ion cells by replacing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) tape with more chemically stable polypropylene and polyimide (Kapton). PET tape can depolymerize in the absence of effective electrolyte additives, which can induce substantial self-discharge in a lithium-ion cell.

Battery Flyer

Battery Webinars

Battery App Notes

RIGAKU WEBINARS 

Join us for our free 45-minute webinar on XRF, the leading analytical technique in many fields. Discover how to improve material quality testing through proper sample preparation, addressing issues such as sample in homogeneity and error.


Highlights include:

-Learn about the fusion method, eliminating sample matrix and mineralogical challenges.

-Gain insight into a calibration method for different elements.

-Understand the benefits of fusion: error reduction, matrix dilution, synthetic standards and broad oxide calibration.

-Improve analytical accuracy and expand your applications.

-Meet Rigaku's XRF specialist for practical guidance on fusion method development and analysis.

-Get answers during the Q&A session.

Date/time

Wednesday, November 15, 2023, 9 a.m. and 4 p.m


Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your materials analysis capabilities. After the webinar, you'll receive a free, comprehensive download package.


Host: Carmen Kaiser-Bruegmann, XRF Application Scientist, Rigaku Europe SE

FEATURED APPLICATION NOTES

Phosphorus on Fabric 

Applied Rigaku Technologies


Clothing fabrics for work clothes, uniforms, baby clothing and other uses can be coated with a phosphorus compound for the purpose of flame retardancy. Bromine and antimony are typically no longer used in clothing due to the toxicity of these heavier elements, but can still be used in heavier textiles such as draperies, carpet and mattress materials. During the coating and processing of treated fabrics, the flame retardant material must be closely monitored to ensure optimum quality without incurring cost overruns due to product rejection or overuse of chemicals. EDXRF is an excellent measurement method. Quick and simple, EDXRF offers QC technicians a reliable means of monitoring flame retardant concentrations throughout the entire QC process. The analysis of phosphorus flame retardant compound on fabric is demonstrated.
Read More >

Quantitative Analysis of Blast Furnace Slag by Fusion Method on the ZSX Primus III NEXT

Rigaku Corporation


Blast

Read more >

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