Scientific Achievement
We review scientific studies where nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) proves an indispensable tool for obtaining detailed molecular level understanding of electrochemical processes for energy storage. Featured advances include in situ NMR analyses where the chemistries within a functioning battery are probed during cell cycling.
Significance and Impact
This invited topical review, written by JCESR team members who are experts in the development and application of novel NMR methods, highlights the power of in situ and ex situ NMR for battery research. A history of in situ NMR development and future directions are also reviewed and discussed.
Research Details
With examples from our own laboratory and other leading NMR experts from around the world, we show that:
- NMR experiments uniquely capture transient amorphous species only existing under in situ conditions (when current is applied).
- The development of a large-sample-volume NMR probe for use at high field strength (850 MHz for 1H) allows detection of insensitive NMR nuclides (25Mg, 17O, etc.) at natural abundance.
- Ex situ high field NMR studies offer unique advantages where a significant enhancement spectral resolution and sensitivity are required.
- The integration of experimental NMR data, quantum chemistry calculations, and classical molecular dynamics simulations provides identification of the solvation structures of ions.
