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March

Picture of the Month - March 2026

Microscopic Festival

While charging a battery sodium-ions (blue circles) travel from the negative electrode (anode) to the positive electrode (cathode). Both electrodes are made of particle-based composites, that allow for optimal wettability by the liquid electrolyte through which the path of the sodium-ions leads. For size comparison a 20 µm-scale bar was inserted in the lower left corner. Here, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry images are shown of polished cross sections of the electrodes of which on the right side only the sodium-ion signal (Na+) is shown in cyan. On the positive left side, though, additionally to Na+ in cyan, phosphate (PO2+) in magenta and vanadium oxide (VO+) in yellow are resembling the composition of the cathode active material (CAM) Na3V2(PO4)3. The sprinkled distribution raises the feeling of a carnival-atmosphere.

This picture was submitted by David Schäfer (group of Prof. Dr. Jürgen Janek).

Further insights into the research activities of the ZfM groups can be found in the Gallery.