An electrochemical cell has been constructed forin situneutron diffraction studies of lithium-insertion/extraction processes in electrode materials for Li-ion batteries. Its key components are a Pyrex tube, gold plated on its inside, which functions as a current collector, and a central lithium rod, which serves as the negative electrode. The device is demonstrated here for a neutron diffraction study of lithium extraction from LiMn2O4: a mechanical Celgard©separator soaked in the electrolyte surrounds the lithium electrode. The LiMn2O4powder, mixed with electrolyte, occupies the space between separator and current collector.
Demonstrating the steady performance of iron oxide composites over 2000 cycles at fast charge-rates for Li-ion batteries