Study of Li diffusion in thin Li-ion batteries by thermal neutron depth profiling (TNDP)

Thin lithium ion batteries (LIBs) represent a promising energy storage technology due to their many advantages, including high energy density, flexible and lightweight construction and endurance. With a rapid progress of nanotechnology, it is possible to improve their capacity, cycle life and to increase their safety. In the current experiment, Li ion diffusion in thin LIBs was inspected using the Thermal Neutron Depth Profiling (TNDP) nuclear analytical technique. The thin, all-solid LIBs were synthesized by RF magnetron or ion beam sputtering of traditional cathode-anode materials, including material for a solid-state electrolyte. The experiment proved that TNDP is an effective experimental tool for direct analysis and visualization of the Li distribution (and transport processes) in the LIBs systems.