Sample Preparation of Energy Materials for X‐ray Nanotomography with Micromanipulation |
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| Authors: | Dr. Yu‐chen Karen Chen‐Wiegart Dr. Fernando E. Camino Dr. Jun Wang |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Photon Sciences Directorate, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York, 11973 (USA), Fax: (+1)?631 344 3238;2. Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, New York 11973 (USA) |
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| Abstract: | X‐ray nanotomography presents an unprecedented opportunity to study energy storage/conversion materials at nanometer scales in three dimensions, with both elemental and chemical sensitivity. A critical step in obtaining high‐quality X‐ray nanotomography data is reliable sample preparation to ensure that the entire sample fits within the field of view of the X‐ray microscope. Although focused‐ion‐beam lift‐out has previously been used for large sample (few to tens of microns) preparation, a difficult undercut and lift‐out procedure results in a time‐consuming sample preparation process. Herein, we propose a much simpler and direct sample preparation method to resolve the issues that block the view of the sample base after milling and during the lift‐out process. This method is applied on a solid‐oxide fuel cell and a lithium‐ion battery electrode, before numerous critical 3D morphological parameters are extracted, which are highly relevant to their electrochemical performance. A broad application of this method for microstructure study with X‐ray nanotomography is discussed and presented. |
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| Keywords: | energy conversion micromanipulation nanotechnology nanotomography sample preparation |
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