Visualizing Structural Changes in Batteries Using Hard Radiation and the GaliPIX3D Detector

Visualizing structural changes in batteries using hard radiation and the GaliPIX^3D detector.

Introduction

Computed tomography (CT) has been a well-established technology in medical diagnostics for decades. In the past few years, industrial CT has become a very powerful nondestructive analytical method. It can provide detailed information about the object of interest, e.g. its structure, composition, defect/pore sizes and their distribution. In this data sheet, we present CT results obtained on alkaline batteries using an Empyrean diffractometer. Some of these results have been reported elsewhere [1].

Experimental

In order to monitor the structural changes occurring upon discharging of an alkaline battery, a commercially available cylindrical battery (AAAA type) was measured using Ag radiation (λ=0.5609 Å) in combination with a GaliPIX^3D detector in the original (1.5 V) and discharged (0.9 V) state.

The alkaline batteries chosen for this purpose consist of MnO₂ as the cathode material Zn powder as the anode material [2-3]. While MnO₂ is used as a solid mixture with graphite, the Zn powder is suspended in gelled KOH electrolyte. The main chemical processes can be described in the following way: Anode: Zn + 2OH^- > ZnO+H₂O + 2e^- Cathode: 2MnO₂ +2H₂O + 2e^- > 2MnOOH +2OH^- During the electric discharge MnO₂ is reduced by a solid-state intercalation of H⁺ into the MnO₂ lattice. The Zn is oxidised and ZnO is formed around the core. MnO₂ is transformed to MnOOH and as a consequence the thickness of the Mn layer increases.

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