Battery materials characterization
Battery electrode efficiency depends on particle size, morphology, surface area, material dispersion, elemental composition and degradation mechanisms. Combining particle characterization, elemental analysis, X-ray microscopy and depth profiling helps researchers understand electrode structure, detect contaminants and investigate changes that affect battery performance.
How can you improve battery electrode performance by understanding what happens inside the materials?
Battery electrode efficiency depends on much more than the chemical composition of active materials. Particle size, shape, surface area, dispersion, elemental distribution and interface stability all influence how electrodes perform throughout their lifetime.
In this webinar, HORIBA explores how complementary analytical techniques help researchers and battery manufacturers better understand the relationship between electrode microstructure, material properties and electrochemical performance.
Discover how particle size analysis, dynamic image analysis, surface area measurements, elemental analysis, X-ray microscopy and Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GD-OES) provide valuable insights into battery electrode materials and manufacturing processes.
Through practical examples, you will learn how to:
Whether you work in battery R&D, electrode formulation, materials characterization or manufacturing quality control, this webinar demonstrates how combining analytical techniques can support the development of more efficient, reliable and durable batteries.
| Customer challenge | Analytical approach |
| How do particle properties influence electrode performance? | Particle size distribution, morphology and BET surface area |
| How can electrode slurry dispersion be evaluated? | Particle analysis at high concentrations and image analysis |
| How can mixing and kneading processes be assessed? | Comparing particle size distributions and aggregation before and after processing |
| How can electrode elemental composition be measured? | EMIA, EMGA and GD-OES |
| How can metallic contamination be identified? | X-ray microscopy and elemental mapping |
| How can electrode degradation be investigated? | GD-OES depth profiling combined with X-ray elemental mapping |
Language: English | Duration: Approximately 29 minutes
Series: HORIBA Solutions for the Full Battery Value Chain
Battery electrode characterization is the analysis of physical, chemical and structural properties that influence electrode performance. It includes particle size, morphology, surface area, dispersion, elemental composition, interface properties and degradation mechanisms.
Particle size and morphology influence electrode surface area, material packing, contact between particles and transport pathways. Characterizing these properties helps researchers understand electrode behavior and optimize material formulations.
Particle size analysis helps monitor material dispersion, aggregation and changes introduced during mixing or kneading. Comparing distributions before and after processing can reveal changes in slurry structure that may influence electrode uniformity and performance.
The distribution of active materials and conductive additives affects the internal structure of the electrode. Poor dispersion or excessive aggregation can produce non-uniform electrodes and influence their electrochemical performance. Measuring concentrated slurries can help reveal aggregates that conventional dilution may disrupt.
The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method measures specific surface area through gas adsorption. It helps characterize the accessible surface of electrode powders, providing information relevant to surface reactions and interactions with the electrolyte.
Elemental analysis measures elements that may influence electrode properties. Combustion analyzers such as HORIBA EMIA quantify carbon and sulfur, while inert gas fusion analyzers such as EMGA determine oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen. X-ray microscopy can also locate and identify metallic contaminant particles.
Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GD-OES) provides elemental depth profiles, revealing how elements are distributed from the surface into deeper layers of an electrode. It can be used to investigate electrode composition, interfaces and changes associated with battery cycling.
X-ray microscopy combines spatial imaging with elemental analysis to identify and map contaminant particles. For example, the webinar illustrates how copper particles can be identified within electrode materials.
Electrode degradation can involve structural changes, elemental migration and the formation or redistribution of chemical species during cycling. Combining X-ray elemental mapping and GD-OES depth profiling helps investigate where these changes occur and how elements are distributed within the electrode.
Particle characterization reveals physical properties such as size, shape and dispersion, while elemental analysis provides information about composition, contamination and depth distribution. Together, these complementary techniques offer a more complete understanding of electrode materials and their behavior.
Tetsuya MORI, Materials field leader & Particle analysis specialist, HORIBA UK
A specialist in materials characterization, focusing on analytical solutions for battery research and electrode development. In this webinar, the speaker explores how particle size analysis, morphology characterization, elemental analysis and surface-sensitive techniques help researchers investigate electrode efficiency, manufacturing processes and degradation mechanisms.
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