Electrochemical Analyses

Solid-state electrochemistry is used as a crucial analytical tool to investigate ion and electron transport, decomposition behavior at interfaces and forming interphases, Red-Ox processes of active materials and battery cell performance.

Potentiostats – The variability of potentiostats is crucial for in-depth electrochemical investigations and a multitude of different potentiostats are in use. While the electrochemical cells are mostly custom built, they are typically connected in controlled temperature environments.

Instrument specifications:

	Variable RT application	Standard T-dep. impedance	Variable T-dep. application	Low noise potentiostat application
Voltage range	10 V	10 V	10 V	10 V
Resolution	76 µV	76 µV	76 µV	3 µV
Current range	10 nA to 500 mA	10 nA to 500 mA	10 nA to 500 mA	10 nA to 500 mA *
Resolution	0.76 pA	0.76 pA	0.76 pA	0.03 pA
Impedance spectroscopy
Frequency range	7MHz - 10µHz	7MHz - 10µHz	7MHz - 10µHz	1MHz - 10µHz
Resolution	<0,0001%	<0,0001%	<0,0001%	<0,003%
VRMS (mV)	0.1 to 2500	0.1 to 2500	0.1 to 2500	0.2 to 350
EIS voltage resolution	0,76 µV for ±25 mV	0,76 µV for ±25 mV	0,76 µV for ±25 mV
T-range	25 °C	−40 to 60°C	−20 to 45°C	10 to 60 °C

*up to 10 A Booster

Under Pressure – Set-ups for pressure monitoring and active pressure control of solid-state cells are available. With pressures up to 1.7 GPa, changes to ionic conductivity can be monitored in-situ in house and have been shown to alter the microstructure of softer solids.

Instrument specifications:

	Custom setup	High pressure
Force uniaxial	up to ~5 kN	75 kN (up to 1.7 GPa @ 6mm Ø)
Force accuracy	0.1%	0.1%
Cells	Ø 10 mm Coin-cell	Ø 6, 12 mm Coin-cell
Temperature	25 °C	−30 to +250 °C

Broadband Impedance spectroscopy – Specialized impedance spectrometers are available for impedance monitoring of (mostly solid) samples set up to be measured between −150 °C up to 1200 °C mostly under inert conditions.

Instrument specifications:

	Low Temperature	High-Temperature
Contacting	2-wire	4-wire
Impedance spectroscopy
Frequency range	20 MHz to 3 µHz	20 MHz to 3 µHz
Frequency accuracy	0.01%	0.01%
VRMS (mV)	0.045 to 1360	0.045 to 1360
Temperature Range (non-inert transfer)	−160 to +150°C (+400 °C)	RT to +1050 °C (+1200 °C)
Temperature Resolution	0.01 °C	0.1 °C
Heating/cooling rate	20 °C/min
Modular Potentiostat available	15 V / 10 A	15 V / 10 A

Battery cycler – Battery cycling capabilities are available at controlled room temperature, or selectively between −20 and 45 °C.

Instrument specifications:

Voltage range	± 5V, 6V
Current range	multiple 150 µA up to 5 A
T-range	25 °C, −40 to 60 °C

Interested? – Feel free to request collaborative measurements or instrument access to marvin.kraft@uni-muenster.de or ptill@uni-muenster.de.