3D X-Ray Characterization of Energy Storage and Conversion Devices

Energy storage and conversion devices including rechargeable batteries, fuel cells, and electrolyzers are at the forefront of the global effort to tackle climate change, and there has been an intensification in research and development into novel electrochemical technologies. X-rays, with their ability to penetrate matter, are a powerful tool that can be harnessed to characterize the performance and degradation of these devices, providing a wealth of information about the electronic states, crystalline ordering, and microstructures of the materials within, spanning multiple length scales. This chapter will provide the basic theories underpinning various X-ray characterization methods, discuss their applications, and provide a perspective on the potential of X-rays to illuminate the routes to the commercialization of novel electrochemical technologies.