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 Enabling Electrochemical Dilatometry in the Nanometer Scale


Electrochemical Dilatometer ECD-nano

EL-CELL proudly presents the new ECD-nano electrochemical dilatometer with a resolution in the true nanometer range. This new development is fully compatible with the ECD-1, except for the sensor/load unit. With the new capacitive parallel-plate sensor system, the ECD-nano provides a much better resolution below 5 nanometers (against 50 nm for the ECD-1). We believe the high resolution of the ECD-nano will open new areas of application to electrochemical dilatometry. For instance, quasi 2 dimensional electrode processes like the SEI formation in lithium-ion batteries, or the electrochemically driven growth of passivation layers on metal surfaces might become the subject of future dilatometric studies.

The heart of the ECD-nano is an electrochemical cell, hermetically tight against ambient atmosphere. The two electrodes inside are separated by a stiff glass frit that is fixed in position. The upper (working) electrode is sealed by means of a thin metal membrane, through which any charge-induced height change is transmitted towards the sensor/load unit above.

Typical configurations

  • Basic: the ECD-nano dilatometer equipped for aprotic electrochemistry (dilatometer cell, sensor, and sensor-controller with dc-voltage output -10 to +10 V). Construction materials in media contact are stainless steel and PEEK. The user has to provide all peripheral equipment like data acquisition system, temperature chamber, and potentiostat.
  • Standard: includes the above Basic version PLUS the Agilent 34972A datalogger (incl. software) to record the sensor voltage together with up to 21 additional signals.
  • Upgrade Kit Aqueous: replaces stainless steel parts by gold parts and thus makes the ECD-nano compatible with aqueous electrochemistry.We can offer many other solutions, depending on your needs and budget, including parallel set-ups. Please contact us for more specific information.

ECD-nano Main Characteristics

  • 250 micrometer full range with < 5 nm resolution
  • Choice between many different electrode types: bound films (up to 10 mm in diameter, up to 1 mm thick), binder-free powders or single crystals / grains
  • Compatible with aprotic as well as aqueous electrochemistry by proper choice of construction materials (standard is gold or stainless steel 1.4404 for current collectors, PEEK for cell housing, and EPDM for seals)
  • Small cell volume (ca. 3 ml electrolyte required)
  • High drift stability of height signal for long-term experiments (drift < 20 nanometer per hour)
  • Easy-to-assemble, easy-to-handle, and robust construction
  • Fixed load on working electrode (130 g). Variable Load (FlexLoad) on request.
  • Broad temperature range, -20 to +80 oC, in combination with a temperature controlled chamber
  • Modular design allows to separate electrolyte filling (e.g. inside a glove box) from dilatometer operation (e.g. inside a temperature chamber)

Technical Data

  • 230mm x 100mm x 110mm (height x width x depth)
  • electrode – diameter 10mm, thickness max. 1.0 mm
  • organic (optional aqueous) electrochemistry, 3 ml electrolyte volume
  • High precision capacitive sensor system
    • < 5 nanometers resolution, 250 µm full range
    • linearity < 0.1 % of full range
    • DC output voltage -10 to +10 V
    • weigth ca. 2.5 kg

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