WEBINAR | From Infrastructure to Impact: EM & Micro-CT in Materials Core Facilities

Controlling Electrode Performance — Particle Size Analysis of Ni-Based Battery Powder with Tescan CLARA

Automated ultra-high-resolution SEM imaging enables fast, quantitative insights into particle size, shape, and surface morphology — all critical to optimizing lithium-ion battery manufacturing.

hero
hero
Unlocked content

Why Particle Size Distribution Matters for Lithium-Ion Battery Quality

In lithium-ion battery manufacturing, the size and morphology of active powder particles significantly impact the electrode's packing density, electrical conductivity, and electrochemical performance. Even small variations in size can influence calendering, coating uniformity, and overall battery stability.

This app note demonstrates how Tescan CLARA UHR SEM, combined with automated Essence™ Image Snapper software, provides fast, reliable particle size analysis in Ni-based battery powders. With high-resolution SEM imaging and automated image analysis, researchers can optimize the trade-off between energy performance and long-term battery stability — accelerating quality assurance and design cycles.

Why Study Electrode Performance

with Tescan

01
Root of the Problem

Why Battery Powder Particle Size is a Critical Performance Factor

In battery electrode production, active materials are used in powder form and blended with carbon additives and binders. The size of these particles plays a decisive role — affecting not only how the powder flows during coating but also how densely and evenly it packs after calendering.

Too large, and voids reduce performance; too small, and particles agglomerate or pack too tightly, limiting mechanical flexibility. These variations can cause downstream defects, limit energy capacity, or reduce cycle life. Fast, high-resolution assessment of particle size and morphology is essential to meet today’s performance and consistency targets. 

02
Materials and Methods

SEM-Based Workflow for Powder Characterization

A Ni-based lithium-ion battery powder was imaged using Tescan CLARA UHR SEM under 1 keV accelerating voltage and low beam current. Imaging was fully automated using Essence™ Image Snapper, which aligned and optimized each frame without user input. Three fields of view — 10 µm, 50 µm, and 250 µm — were captured across different regions of interest.

The images were analyzed using MIPAR Software, enabling precise measurements of size, roundness, and texture. This automated workflow drastically reduces operator time while increasing reproducibility across multiple samples.

03
Results and Discussion

From Morphology to Manufacturing Insight

The automated SEM workflow delivered high-quality images within two minutes per sample. Particle size ranged from 1.2 µm to 10.9 µm, with an average of 4.2 µm and an absolute deviation of 1.2 µm. UHR imaging revealed not only overall size but also detailed surface morphology — crucial for understanding electrochemical behavior. Smaller particles offer greater surface area, improving capacity, but also risk increased side reactions.

The SEM data supports a fine-tuned approach to powder selection, helping balance high performance with long-term battery stability. This insight is especially valuable for optimizing calendering pressure and electrode porosity in production. 

GET IN Touch

Contact us

Get the most out of Tescan

This is more than information; it's an advantage. We've compiled our technical whitepapers, detailed product flyers, and on-demand webinars to provide you with the knowledge that makes a real difference. Sign up now to access the insights you need to make an impact.

Tescan Instruments & Technology

Used in This Workflow

Tescan CLARA

Tescan CLARA provides high-resolution imaging without magnetic interference, making it ideal for sensitive battery materials. Its automated workflows and contrast flexibility allow precise analysis of powder morphology, particle distribution, and surface texture. 

CLARA GM Mat. Science

Tescan Essence™ – Modular Software Platform for Automated Imaging

Tescan Essence™ simplifies complex SEM workflows with its intuitive interface and automation modules. In this application, Essence™ Image Snapper was used to acquire aligned, contrast-optimized SEM images from multiple regions of interest in a fully automated process — without requiring operator input.

GET IN Touch

Contact us

map

Where can you find us:

Tescan Brno
Libušina třída 21
623 00 Brno
Czech Republic

info@Tescan.com 

130405923 us US 37.09024 -95.712891 25.3575 29.349345 20.67957527 42.082797 39.91384763 -33.693421 13.93320106 3.039986586 31.997988 38.050985 47.579533 48.1485965 58.375799 54.663142 19.195447 56.975106 50.493053 45.868592 10.79556993 44.35660598 43.2371604 55.536415 14.557577179752773 32.100937 -6.116829 -6.212299277967318 23.7104 -33.471062 31.998740087 -23.69149395 43.462349 51.529848 49.1893523 49.197486 25.072375 31.075811 1.299027 40.676979 52.30150662 51.013813 35.684121 37.479653 52.246622 40.581349 39.911632 -26.1811371 41.818215 33.429928

No distributors found.