Neutron depth profiling of Li-ion cell electrodes with a gas-controlled environment

Neutron depth profiling (NDP) is a nondestructive technique that has been applied to characterize the lithium concentration in the electrode materials of Li-ion batteries as a function of depth. NDP measurements have been traditionally performed ex-situ, under vacuum of the order of 10−6 Torr to avoid any change in the residual energy of the charged particles as they emerge from the sample surface. In this work, we describe the design of the NDP measurement facility that allows for conducting tests at variable pressure conditions, through an inert gas atmosphere. This study enhances the ability of the conventional NDP instrument to measure lithium concentration of air-sensitive materials without exposure to atmospheric conditions and under inert gas atmosphere. Furthermore, it provides the opportunity to conduct in-situ NDP on Li-ion cells using liquid electrolytes that would otherwise evaporate at high vacuum conditions.