Energy

Spinel-type lithium manganate (LiMn2O4-σ) is said to change its discharge characteristics due to slight differences in composition caused by oxygen deficiency. The differences in the discharge characteristics of lithium manganate batteries are also observed in the particle size and crystal structure, but attention is also paid to the difference in the oxygen bonding ratio, as samples with less oxygen bonding have poorer discharge characteristics.

We introduce a fast and non-destructive method for Pt catalyst loading mass determination in catalyst sheet of proton exchange membrane fuel cell using a benchtop EDXRF analyzer. We made a calibration curve by analyzing multiple in-house samples with different Pt loading masses (0.052 - 0.39 mg/cm2) and determined catalyst loading mass of a sample using the curve. Our result showed that the curve had a good linearity and that the calculated result was consistent with the labeled value of the sample with good repeatability.

Proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) mainly consists of organic materials such as proton exchange membrane, carbon supports, and carbon sheets. However, it also includes some inorganic elements such as radical quenchers and precious metal catalysts. In this application note, we introduce key applications of micro-XRF for each component of PEMFC.

The importance of particle size for power plants is found in their ability to meet environmental regulations while controlling capital expenditures and operating costs. This application page will show how investing in particle size analysis helps control operating costs and improve margins for power plants.

Bipolar plates are key components of proton exchange membrane fuel cells – they notably distribute fuel gas and air and conduct electricity. Various materials and surface treatments have been developed to improve their properties. Here, we described a reverse engineering study on a bipolar plate from a commercial vehicle using GD-OES and Raman spectroscopy. The analyses revealed that the plate had an amorphous carbon coating on a titanium base plate.

The HORIBA micro-XRF system performs two applications for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) catalyst research: One is Pt catalyst uniformity imaging within a catalyst sheet thanks to the imaging capability. The other is Pt catalyst loading mass determination on average, which is a popular application of EDXRF. Through the experiments, we successfully visualized aggregates of Pt catalyst in our samples, and we also got a good linearity of calibration curve for Pt catalyst loading mass determination.

A plastic toy is analysed for the presence of lead within its many components. Spot analysis shows concentrations of this harmful element can reach as high as 0.3%. XRF imaging allows its distribution across the toy to be quickly characterised.

The Fluorolog-QM fluorescence spectrometer with an integrating sphere option is an excellent choice for PLQY measurements in NIR. The K-Sphere is very convenient and easy to use, as it couples directly to the sample compartment optics and allows a use of external light sources, such as DPSS lasers, which can be attached to the front of the sample compartment. The sphere has holders for cuvettes, slides and powders that can be easily interchanged. The results demonstrate very good reproducibility and precision for NIR PLQY measurements spanning almost two orders of magnitude. Based on multiple measurements, the demonstrated PLQY standard deviations range from 1.3% for high QY value (77%) to 6.4% for the QY below 1%.

We analyzed a Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) cathode simulation sample using a HORIBA XGT-9000 X-ray analytical microscope and performed foreign matters analysis with the Particle Finding Module software.

The new Fluorolog-QM spectrofluorometers, due to their modularity and advanced software and a universal interface, are an ideal choice for studying multiple aspects of upconversion. This technical note illustrates the use of Fluorolog-QM-75-21 for spectral and time-resolved characterization of these materials.

We used the XGT-9000 to analyze foreign particles on a lithium ion battery material. We made a NMC cathode simulation sample and added Cu particles in the sample as simulated metal foreign matter.

We analyzed two slurry battery materials containing active material (NCM) and conductive agent (carbon). By using Partica CENTRIFUGE to analyze battery materials before and after kneading, results with distinctly different distributions were obtained, which enable us to infer the dispersion state of the battery materials.

The XGT-9000 can detect and determine the composition of foreign particles, and therefore track the source of contamination.

Battery technology is improving, keeping up with the demand for better power storage. Improved performance requires greater control of the materials used and their physical properties including the particle size distribution.

In order to engineer materials with controlled diffusive properties, we need to be able to measure the diffusive process in situ. Ideally, we would like a technique that provides molecular information with resolution on a microscopic scale, that is non destructive of the samples, and can be set up and used on a laboratory bench top with a minimum of time and effort involved in sample preparation. Raman microprobe spectroscopy is an ideal candidate for this type of studies. Use of visible light combined with a confocal microscope provides a probe with spatial resolution of a micron or better, and coupling of such a microscope to a modern Raman spectrometer equipped with holographic notch filters and CCD multi channel detectors allows rapid acquisition of Raman spectra which can be correlated with the chemical state of the species and its physical environment.

A Li-ion battery is a rechargeable battery in which lithium ions move between the anode and the cathode creating an electricity flow. Whether you study new electrodes or coatings behaviors, charge and discharge processes, process controls, or perform comparative studies for Li-ion batteries, Pulsed RF Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectrometry is a valuable companion tool.

The application note explains how the Raman Spectroscopy can be helpful in the analysis of cathodes and anodes in Li-ion batteries. Today’s state of art of technology requires more reliable, more efficient and powerful energy sources. Lithium-ion batteries are thus of high interest. Raman spectroscopy adapts to the different stages of life of these batteries, such as the characterization of new materials for more flexible systems, failure analysis; but also more standard analysis of used material during charge/discharge process, including structural and electronic properties, and even robust, automated QC tests.

Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) spectroscopy is an important tool which can be used to characterize optical materials such as LEDs and photovoltaic (PV) materials.

The XGT-9000SL’s large chamber capacity and microprobes allow elemental distribution imaging up to 350 x 350 mm2 with high spatial resolution at the microscopic level.

With their ~20 % efficiency, hybrid perovskite solar cells are the new promising candidate for next generation photovoltaics. Thanks to the wide HORIBA Scientific portfolio, different techniques can be used to gain in depth knowledge on the optoelectronic properties and mechanisms of this class of materials. In this application note we decided to use spectroscopic ellipsometry, steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence and Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy to investigate the properties of CH3NH3PbI3 thin films deposited on a spin-coated PEDOT:PSS. The impact of the exposure to air was addressed.

Plastic pollution from fishing gear is a global problem that harms the environment. Recycling of damaged or abandoned fishing gear is one way of mitigating the issue, however the exact nature of the polymer must be known in order to identify the correct recycling stream. In this paper, the MacroRAM benchtop Raman spectrometer with remote BallProbe® is used to quickly identify plastics used in various gillnet samples. Raman spectroscopy is demonstrated to be an excellent technique for identifying not only different types of polymers, but also different variants within a polymer class and additives including pigments.

A new concern for human health is now raised by sub-23 nm particles emitted by on-road motor vehicles. Beyond measuring particle number and mass, it is also critical to determine the surface chemical composition of the nanoparticles to understand the potential reactivity with the environment.

Monitoring of Sulfur in petroleum products is an important topic in the current environmental protection context. Indeed, during combustion, Sulfur will cause acid rains and particles emissions that induce environmental and health problems. If industries and vehicles emissions have been the main target of Sulfur emission control since few tens of year, the new target is the maritime navigation. In this domain, now, the level of Sulfur is regulated by the MARPOL (International convention) Annex VI. For this specific regulation, the technique and measuring range of our SLFA series is perfectly suitable to allow the fast and accurate determination of Sulfur in Marine oil. Our compact SLFA-60 can be used on board and the SLFA-6800, with its autosampler (eight positions), will enhance the productivity of the control laboratories.

The assessment of microplastics in a marine environment is a multi-step process (sampling, extraction, detection and quantification of microplastics), in which each step is time consuming. Analyzing the chemical composition and morphology of microplastics represents a real challenge for answering crucial questions about the sources and fate of microplastics in aquatic environments. In this application note, we present a reproducible and time-effective method for fast and thorough morphological and chemical characterization of microplastics using a semi-automated scanning of particles coupled to micro-Raman spectroscopy. The rapid analysis of large number of collected particles allows for an exhaustive assessment of both large sample sizes and small subsamples.

HORIBA Spectrometers are used to characterize doped glasses for photonics

Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite materials have emerged over the past five years as promising absorber layers for new high-efficiency and low-cost solar cells that combine the advantages of organic and inorganic semiconductors. The increasing interest in this technology is pushing research laboratories to find the optimal techniques for the accurate characterization of opto-electronic properties of these materials.

Spectroscopic Ellipsometry is an efficient and non-destructive method for extracting optical constants of materials in the UV-VIS-NIR wavelength ranges. The optical constants (n,k) of a material are among the most important sets of optical data and are specific to the material being studied. During this webinar, you will learn how to define a strategy to perform quantitative Spectroscopic Ellipsometry on CIGS semiconducting thin films. CIGS is among the most efficient absorbers for photovoltaic solar conversion. Deployed as thin or ultra thin films, CIGS optical characterization is as important in its preparation stage as in the modeling of cell stacks. However the determination of CIGS optical constants is a very complex challenge, particularly for SE when it is used as a unique and direct experimental method.

Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) is a powerful optical method used for characterizing materials. PL can be used to find impurities and defects in silicon and group III-V element semiconductors, and to determine semiconductor band-gaps.

Temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy is a powerful optical method for characterizing materials. PL can be used to identify defects and impurities in Si and III-V semiconductors, as well as determine semiconductor bandgaps. At room temperature, PL emission is usually broad—up to 100 nm in width.

As a result of rapid development in semiconductor manufacturing, many types of optoelectronic devices such as laser diodes, LEDs, and high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs) are now fabricated by epitaxial-growth methods.

Gallium Nitride (GaN) is one of a generation of promising light-emitting materials. Its direct energy band gap of ~3.4 eV at room temperature make it particularly suitable for emission in the blue, and near UV spectral ranges. The material often exhibits high temperature stability and low electrical leakage, and hence GaN is generally a good candidate for fabricating high-temperature and high-power devices.

Photoluminescence is the optical emission obtained by photon excitation (usually a laser) and is commonly observed with III-V semiconductor materials. This type of analysis allows non-destructive characterization of semiconductors (material composition, qualitative investigations, etc.

III-V semiconductors are important to the fabrication of active photonic devices such as light sources and detectors. Successful fabrication of such devices relies on the high quality of the underlying materials and precise deposition of intended geometries on a wafer substrate.

Monolithic integration of optical components on CMOS platforms is ongoing in the optical communications industry. CMOS offers a mature and robust platform, and therefore is logical for building optical-interconnect modules.

GaN and related alloys are important materials used to build short-wavelength light sources (lasers and LEDs). Room- and low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) are used to characterize these materials as well as device performance.

Hybrid perovskite photovoltaics (PV) show promise because of their good efficiencies, which can be around 20%. Along with their PV characteristics, perovskite materials exhibit a high degree of radiative recombination.

Internal Quantum Efficiency (IQE) and External Quantum Efficiency (EQE) measurements are indicators of the effectiveness of a photosensitive device such as those used in telecommunications and solar cells. EQE is the ratio of the charges generated to the total amount of photons incident on the surface; a larger EQE indicates a more efficient device.

The phenomenon of upconversion is an optical process that takes in lower energy (longer wavelength) photons and emits higher energy (shorter wavelength) photons.

Glasses are essential materials with a multitude of uses and many forms. In the area of optoelectronics there is an interest to modify the glass composition to favor the incorporation of lanthanide elements.

RF GD OES is well known for ultra fast elemental depth profile of thin and thick films. All elements can be measured including Hydrogen (H) which is important in many application fields - for corrosion studies, for PV, in metallurgy, for the development of hydrogen storage materials and for all polymeric coatings studies to name a few. The most sensitive emission line for H is in the VUV range at 121,567 nm.