Figure 1: (a) Cyclon cell 2V and 5 Ah (b) temperature controlled environmental chamber.
Post cycling analysis, electrode materials were extracted in charged and discharged states for chemical and morphological characterization (Figure 2). The extracted material was thoroughly ground, rinsed with water profusely to remove remnant acid, and dried overnight at 80 °C. Phase and crystal structure of pristine and degraded electrodes were examined using XRD (PANalytical X’Pert PRO MRD; Cu Kα radiation; 0.006 degrees/sec). Phases of the materials were validated after rinsing and drying process during material extraction process. EDX spectral mapping analysis (25 kV) was performed for estimating the chemical composition of electrodes post degradation.