A furnace for in situ X-ray diffraction studies of insertion processes in electrode materials at elevated temperatures

A furnace is described for in situ X-ray diffraction studies, in transmission mode, of structural changes in electrode materials for Li-ion (polymer) batteries in the ambient to 300°C temperature range. The method exploits the thin flat-cell geometry of the lithium-polymer battery concept. The flat sample is able to oscillate about a horizontal axis in its own plane in the X-ray beam, to provide better averaging during the diffraction experiment. The use of the device is demonstrated in a study of lithium intercalation in graphite (a commonly used anode material in lithium-ion batteries) during electrochemical cycling and storage at 70°C.