In-Situ DEMS is Accelerating the Development of Safer Lithium-Ion Batteries

The Battery Research Center of Green Energy (BRCGE) at Ming Chi University of Technology (MCUT) in Taiwan is a global leader in energy storage innovation. Led by Professor Chun-Chen Yang, the center is developing high-voltage, high-safety battery technologies through various dynamic approaches, including synthesizing 5 V LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ (LNMO) from recycled Li₂CO₃, developing solvent-free, dual-salt solid polymer electrolytes (DS-SPEs) for solid-state batteries, and stabilizing cobalt-free Li-rich (LRNMO) cathodes via LaF₃ nano-coatings.

Figure 1. In situ DEMS analyses were conducted using the Hiden HPR-40 DEMS. Image Credit: Hiden Analytical

The center has expanded its research parameters to include thermally extruded composite solid electrolytes (TECSEs), dual-conductive additive NCM811 systems, Ta-modified Ni-rich NCM92 cathodes, bilayer hybrid solid electrolytes (Bi-HSEs) with modified Li anodes, and versatile separators for Li-SPAN batteries.

The Hiden HPR-40 DEMS is the system at the heart of these new approaches. DEMS, which stands for Differential Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry, is a sophisticated analytical method that brings together the power of in-situ electrochemical cell experiments and mass spectrometry. By using the Hiden HPR-40 DEMS assembly (as shown in the photograph), researchers can reveal key chemical processes in real time, such as the evolution of H₂, CO₂, CO, O₂, and sulfur species (H₂S, SO₂). This allows the team to carefully monitor electrolyte decomposition and structural degradation.

Figure 2. The Hiden HPR-40 DEMS integrated an electrochemical cell with mass flow meters. Image Credit: Hiden Analytical

Case Studies and Supporting Evidence

• Sustainable Cathode & Ta-Modification Stability: Recycled LNMO exhibited zero detectable O₂ evolution at 5.4 V. Similarly, operando (or in situ) DEMS of Ta-modified Ni-rich NCM92 cathodes demonstrates a considerable reduction inCO₂ and H₂ outgassing, confirming that the Ta-enriched layer is effective at counteracting electrolyte decomposition and surface-side reactions.

Published Journals:

1. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 689 (2025) 137221.
2. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 661 (2024) 289.

• Solid-State & Hybrid Safety Validation: For the DS-SPE system, in situ DEMS verified the complete absence of CO2 and O2 evolution during cycling. With respect to thermally extruded TECSE, the HPR-40 confirmed good stability at the electrode–electrolyte interfaces, with no detectable amounts of H2, CO2, or O2 gases during cycling. In Bi-HSE systems with modified Li anodes, DEMS exposed much lower gas intensities (O₂, CO, C₂H₄) compared to liquid electrolytes, verifying the how the g-C₃N₄/ZIF-8/PVDF coating on the Li anode acts as a protector for all-solid-state Li metal batteries.

Published Journals:

3. Journal of Energy Storage 110 (2025) 115335.
4. Journal of Energy Storage 136 (2025) 118457.
5. Journal of Energy Storage 76 (2024) 109757.

• Suppressing Gas in Li-Rich, Li-SPAN & NCM811 Cathodes: LaF₃ coatings were able to suppress reactive oxygen release effectively in Co-free cathodes. Monitoring sulfur species (H₂S, SO₂) in real-time verified how multifunctional separators, vulnerable to moisture degradation, were able to suppress evolution effectively, which ensures interfacial safety. Moreover, for NCM811 cathodes equipped with Li-BTJ oligomer and PDA-VGCF, in-situ DEMS revealed zero O₂ evolution at high voltage, thereby ensuring first-class structural stability and thermal safety in contrast to bare NCM811 cathodes.

Published Journals:

6. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science 707 (2026) 139743.
7. Small 22 (2026) e13303.
8. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 16 (2024) 21034.

MCUT considers the Hiden HPR-40 DEMS to be an essential validation engine as it offers high-resolution, real-time data on gas dynamics. This allows researchers to enhance the safety and performance of next-generation lithium batteries powering a sustainable future.

Project Summary by

Yi-De Tsai, Yi-Shiuan Wu, and Chun-Chen Yang, Battery Research Center of Green Energy, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City 243303, Taiwan, R.O.C.

References

1. Tsai, Y.-D., et al. (2025). High performance of 5 V LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ cathode materials synthesized from recycled Li₂CO₃ for sustainable Lithium-Ion batteries. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 689, pp.137221–137221. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2025.03.010. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0021979725005934?via%3Dihub.
2. Hendri, Y.B., et al. (2024). Two birds with one stone: One-pot concurrent Ta-doping and -coating on Ni-rich LiNi_0.92Co_0.04Mn_0.04O₂ cathode materials with fiber-type microstructure and Li⁺-conducting layer formation. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 661, pp.289–306. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.01.094. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0021979724001024?via%3Dihub.
3. Ghufira, Wu, et al. (2025). Solvent-free semi-interpenetrating composite polymer electrolyte based on dual Li-salt for solid-state lithium batteries. Journal of Energy Storage, 110, p.115335. DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2025.115335. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352152X25000489?via%3Dihub.
4. Kibret, D.Y., et al. (2025). Stabilizing LATP/Li metal interface via artificial buffer layers on thermally-extruded composite electrolyte for solid-state Li metal batteries. Journal of Energy Storage, 136, p.118457. DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2025.118457. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352152X25031706.
5. Walle, K.Z., et al. (2024). Preparation of g-C₃N₄/ZIF-8/PVDF–modified Li anode for all-solid-state Li metal batteries. Journal of Energy Storage, 76, p.109757. DOI: 10.1016/j.est.2023.109757. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352152X23031559?via%3Dihub.
6. Xu, J.-J., et al. (2026). Stabilizing Co-free Li-rich cathodes with LaF₃ coating and ionic liquid electrolytes: A pathway to high-performance lithium-ion batteries. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 707, p.139743. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2025.139743. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0021979725031352.
7. Anbunathan, A., et al. (2026). Single-Crystal NCM-Enabled Multifunctional Separator Design for High-Performance Lithium-SPAN Batteries. Small, 22(24). DOI: 10.1002/smll.202513303. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smll.202513303.
8. Mengesha, T.H., et al. (2024). Concerted Effect of Ion- and Electron-Conductive Additives on the Electrochemical and Thermal Performances of the LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ Cathode Material Synthesized by a Taylor-Flow Reactor for Lithium-Ion Batteries. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c19386. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.3c19386?__cf_chl_f_tk=RkicHhVHh.No0IzraX5UMD3t.mQBoBj8EPrzZurxQCo-1782968440-1.0.1.1-9Xo4m3wR0c6VZX5yIXhtFhHG_QPhPnJ678DIFcWQOCc.

Hiden Product: HPR-40 DEMS.

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Hiden Analytical.

For more information on this source, please visit Hiden Analytical.