Dynamic Nuclear Polarization in Battery Materials

TL;DR

This paper reviews how Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) enhances NMR sensitivity to study battery materials, especially interfaces, and discusses current challenges, applications, and future prospects for DNP in battery research.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of DNP techniques applied to battery materials, highlighting recent advances, challenges, and future directions for improving NMR analysis of batteries.

Findings

DNP enables detection of electrode-electrolyte interfaces.

Current DNP methods face challenges with battery material properties.

Future developments will improve ambient-condition NMR of batteries.

Abstract

The increasing need for portable and large-scale energy storage systems requires development of new, long lasting and highly efficient battery systems. Solid state NMR spectroscopy has emerged as an excellent method for characterizing battery materials. Yet, it is limited when it comes to probing thin interfacial layers which play a central role in the performance and lifetime of battery cells. Here we review how Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) can lift the sensitivity limitation and enable detection of the electrode-electrolyte interface, as well as the bulk of some electrode and electrolyte systems. We describe the current challenges from the point of view of materials development; considering how the unique electronic, magnetic and chemical properties differentiate battery materials from other applications of DNP in materials science. We review the current applications of exogenous and endogenous DNP from radicals, conduction electrons and paramagnetic metal ions. Finally, we provide our perspective on the opportunities and directions where battery materials can benefit from current DNP methodologies as well as project on future developments that will enable NMR investigation of battery materials with sensitivity and selectivity under ambient conditions.