Evaluation of Internal Microscale Evolution of Electrochemical Devices Based on Elastic-Wave-Based Testing Methods
Authors: Wu Wei-wei , Huang Yihui , Sato Kazuhisa 
Published: December 2024

Nondestructive Testing (NDT) methods provide scientists a way to understand the properties of samples without causing them damage. For an electrochemical device, it is crucial to investigate the behavior of it before, during, and after its operation. Therefore, NDT methods are indispensable for studying such devices.
Literature highlights the effectiveness of elastic-wave-based testing methods in the evaluation of electrochemical devices. The Acoustic Emission (AE) method was applied to respectively study the behavior of Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) and Ni-MH batteries, while the Ultrasonic Testing (UT) method was applied to study Li-ion batteries. In our previous research, the signals representing cracking and delamination in SOFCs were successfully distinguished by their peak amplitude, wave shape, and AE energy [1]. The same technique was further used for the evaluation of mechanical damages in SOFCs during the operation [2]. In another study, similarly, the pulverization of the Ni-MH battery electrodes was observed by the AE technique, and frequency peak property was included in the discussion to classify the signals [3]. The UT method was employed to study the relationship between the state of charge of Li-ion batteries and the profiles of ultrasonic waves at different frequencies. The evolution of wave velocity, attenuation, and amplitude were discussed [4]. Based on these researches, elastic-wave-based testing methods are adopted by us.
In our present study, the multi-frequencies in-situ ultrasonic monitoring technique was employed to analyze the behavior of the commercial Ni-MH batteries during the operation. Continuous ultrasonic waves at three different frequencies were separately sent into the specimens during charge cycles, and their waveforms were recorded and compared. Specific wave patterns were found near the end of the charge and discharge state, especially from the wave profiles at 750 KHz. The result showed that the evolution of waveform is frequency-dependent, which was also suggested in the literature [4]. Potential explanations for these wave patterns were inferred, including phenomena such as crystal structure evolution, internal pressure shift, and reverse of electrodes.
Based on this finding, a new ultrasonic testing/monitoring method considering frequency analysis is also designed. In this new method, signals consisting of elastic waves at a wide range of frequencies with equal intensities are designed to be applied to various electrochemical devices. The application of this method will be included, while the frequency-dependent property of the testing of electrochemical devices will be assessed in combination with the present findings in this study.

References:

[1] K. Sato, H. Omura, T. Hashida, K. Yashiro, H. Yugami, T. Kawada, and J. Mizusaki, J. Test. Eval., 34(3), 246-250(2006).
[2] K. Kumada, K. Sato, and T. Hashida, ECS Trans., 78(1), 2355-2363(2017).
[3] A. Etiemble, H. Idrissi, and L. Roué, J. Power Sources, 196, 5168-5173(2011).
[4] H. Sun, N. Muralidharan, R. Amin, V. Rathod, P. Ramuhalli, and I. Belharouak, J. Power Sources, 549, 232091(2022).

Figure 1