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Marnix Wagemaker

Publications and source records attributed to Marnix Wagemaker.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

A large scale multi-modal workflow for battery characterization: from concept to implementation

The development of material acceleration platforms in battery research requires integrating complementary techniques and correlating heterogeneous experimental datasets. Here, this challenge is tackled in a large-scale multimodal program involving fifteen laboratories and facilities across Europe. Coordinated multi-site experiments are performed on state-of-the-art graphite / LiNiO2 Li-ion full cells to address two archetypal scientific questions: is the electrolyte composition impacting electrode properties, and how do electrode materials evolve when cells are cycled to their end-of-life? A fully standardized and centralized workflow is demonstrated, from sample production and delivery, to metadata and data handling, generating seventy-five concatenated datasets shared among all partners. Their integrated analysis shows that scientific conclusions depend critically on both the observable chosen to describe electrode properties, and the measurement technique employed. Individual experiments provide detailed information into specific aspects, such as crystal structures, redox activity, surface processes, morphology, etc., but can also function as binary diagnostic tool. Two-dimensional observable-technique patterns are introduced, in which each pixel encodes a yes, no or uncertain answer to a given scientific question. These patterns serve as multi-property metaviews, e.g. visual genotypes, enabling to classify material behavior and technique suitability according to predefined user demand and criteria, highlighting the interdependencies between measurement choices, extracted parameters and scientific interpretation. This multimodal workflow establishes a proof-of-concept for correlative analysis and underscores challenges toward fully integrated, automated and holistic approaches in energy material science.

physics.app-ph

Crossover Dynamics of Non-Fickian Ionic Diffusion in Solids

Ionic diffusion in solids is central to energy storage, electronics, and catalysis, yet its chemical origins are difficult to resolve because conventional diffusion models struggle with effects of confinement, crystallographic disorder, lattice distortions, and coupling to electronic or phononic carriers. These challenges are especially pronounced in battery materials, where ionic and electronic motion occur together, complicating interpretation of electrochemical measurements. Here we use tracer exchange as a direct, non-electrochemical probe to reveal distinct ion-transport regimes in the one-dimensional conductor olivine Li_xFePO4 (0 <= x <= 1). Lithium isotope exchange validates single-file diffusion governed by strong ion-ion correlations, where 1D confinement suppresses bypassing and preserves spatial order. Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations and chronoamperometry quantify both Faradaic and non-Faradaic surface exchange, identifying electron transport, rather than Li+ mobility, as the rate-limiting step for electrochemical reaction. In addition, Li-Na exchange exhibits apparent superdiffusion, with rates that increase with Na content. Simulations attribute this behavior to surface-exchange limitations and Na-induced lattice strain that enhances cross-channel Li+ hopping and drives a crossover from 1D to quasi-2D transport. Four-dimensional STEM, in situ synchrotron XRD, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and Mossbauer spectroscopy confirm that lattice softening and concerted polaron motion contribute to the observed dynamics. These results establish tracer exchange as a powerful tool for probing coupled ion-electron transport and provide chemical insight into how lattice mechanics and multicomponent exchange shape ionic diffusion in solids.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

The relationship between the redox activity and electrochemical stability of solid electrolytes for solid-state batteries

All-solid-state Li-ion batteries promise safer electrochemical energy storage with larger volumetric and gravimetric energy densities. A major concern is the limited electrochemical stability of solid electrolytes and related detrimental electrochemical reactions, especially because of our restricted understanding. Here we demonstrate for the argyrodite, garnet and NASICON type solid electrolytes, that the favourable decomposition pathway is indirect rather than direct, via (de)lithiated states of the solid electrolyte, into the thermodynamically stable decomposition products. The consequence is that the electrochemical stability window of the solid electrolyte is significantly larger than predicted for direct decomposition, rationalizing the observed stability window. The observed argyrodite metastable (de)lithiated solid electrolyte phases contribute to the (ir)reversible cycling capacity of all-solid-state batteries, in addition to the contribution of the decomposition products, comprehensively explaining solid electrolyte redox activity. The fundamental nature of the proposed mechanism suggests this is a key aspect for solid electrolytes in general, guiding interface and material design for all-solid-state batteries.

physics.chem-ph

Towards optimal performance and in-depth understanding of spinel Li$_4$Ti$_5$O$_{12}$ electrodes through phase field modeling

Computational modeling is vital for the fundamental understanding of processes in Li-ion batteries. However, capturing nanoscopic to mesoscopic phase thermodynamics and kinetics in the solid electrode particles embedded in realistic electrode morphologies is challenging. In particular for electrode materials displaying a first order phase transition, such as LiFePO$_4$, graphite and spinel Li$_4$Ti$_5$O$_{12}$ (LTO), predicting the macroscopic electrochemical behavior requires an accurate physical model. Herein, we present a thermodynamic phase field model for Li-ion insertion in LTO which captures the performance limitations presented in literature as a function of all relevant electrode parameters. The phase stability in the model is based on ab-initio DFT calculations and the Li-ion diffusion parameters on nanoscopic NMR measurements of Li-ion mobility, resulting in a parameter free model. The direct comparison with prepared electrodes shows good agreement over three orders of magnitude in the discharge current. Overpotentials associated with the various charge transport processes, as well as the active particle fraction relevant for local hotspots in batteries, are analyzed. It is demonstrated which process limits the electrode performance under a variety of realistic conditions, providing comprehensive understanding of the nanoscopic to microscopic properties. These results provide concrete directions towards the design of optimally performing LTO electrodes.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Analysis of diffusion in solid state electrolytes through MD-simulations, improvement of the Li-ion conductivity in \beta-Li3PS4 as an example

Molecular dynamics simulations are a powerful tool to study diffusion processes in battery electrolyte and electrode materials. From a single molecular dynamics simulation many properties relevant to diffusion can be obtained, including the diffusion path, attempt frequency, activation energies, and collective diffusion processes. These detailed diffusion properties provide a thorough understanding of diffusion in solid electrolytes, and provides direction for the design of improved solid electrolyte materials. Here a thorough analysis methodology is developed, and applied to DFT MD simulations of Li-ion diffusion in \beta-Li3PS4. The methodology presented is generally applicable to crystalline materials and facilitates the analysis of molecular dynamics simulations. The code used for the analysis is freely available at: https://bitbucket.org/niekdeklerk/md-analysis-with-matlab. The results on \beta-Li3PS4 demonstrate that jumps between bc-planes limit the conductivity of this important class of solid electrolyte materials. The simulations indicate that by adding Li-interstitials or Li-vacancies the rate limiting jump process can be accelerated significantly, which induces three dimensional diffusion, resulting in an increased Li-ion diffusivity. Li-vacancies can be introduced through Br-doping, which is predicted to result in an order of magnitude larger Li-ion conductivity in \beta-Li3PS4. Furthermore, the present simulations rationalise the improved Li-ion diffusivity upon O-doping through the creation of local Li-interstitials.

physics.chem-ph

Explaining key properties of lithiation in TiO$_2$-anatase Li-ion battery electrodes using phase-field modelling

The improvement of Li-ion battery performance requires development of models that capture the essential physics and chemistry in Li-ion battery electrode materials. In this paper a novel electrochemical phase-field model is presented that captures the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of lithium-insertion in TiO$_2$-anatase, a well-known and intensively studied Li-ion battery electrode material. Previous experimental work on lithiated anatase TiO$_2$ provided all parameters necessary for the phase-field simulations, giving the opportunity to gain fundamental insight in the lithiation of anatase and validate this phase-field model. The phase-field model captures the essential experimentally observed phenomena, rationalising the impact of C-rate, particle size, surface area, and the memory effect on the performance of anatase as a Li-ion battery electrode. Thereby a comprehensive physical picture of the lithiation of anatase TiO$_2$ is provided. The results of the simulations demonstrate that the performance of anatase is limited by the formation of the poor Li-ion diffusion in the Li$_1$TiO$_2$ phase at the surface of the particles. Unlike other electrode materials, the kinetic limitations of individual anatase particles limit the performance of full electrodes. Hence, rather than improving the ionic and electronic network in electrodes, improving the performance of anatase TiO$_2$ electrodes requires preventing the formation of a blocking Li$_1$TiO$_2$ phase at the surface of particles. Additionally, the qualitative agreement of the phase-field model, containing only parameters from literature, with a broad spectrum of experiments demonstrates the capabilities of phase-field models for understanding Li-ion electrode materials, and its promise for guiding the design of electrodes through a thorough understanding of material properties and their interactions.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci