Electron Paramagnetic Resonance and Imaging

The electrochemical cycling process inside rechargeable batteries is always accompanied by the transfer of electrons between paramagnetic and metallic electrodes. Electron paramagnetic resonance ( EPR ) is a powerful technique because of its high sensitivity to unpaired, conductive and delocalized electronic spins. EPR can be additionally extended to in situ monitoring the charge–discharge process by the noninvasive nature. The information obtained from the analysis of the EPR signal of active components could, therefore, provide detailed insight into the understanding of the local structure, defect chemistry, and charge-discharge cycling mechanisms of rechargeable batteries. A brief introduction of EPR and its application in the battery community will be given in this chapter.