Device, system and method for X-ray diffraction analysis of an electrode of an electrochemical cell, at operating temperature and under current

A device for keeping an electrochemical cell under current and at an operating temperature at least equal to 450° C. during an analysis, by X-ray beam diffraction, of a first electrode, the cell including a solid electrolyte interposed between the first electrode and a second electrode, the device comprising:

• a first and a second interconnector of an electrically conducting material, the first interconnector having a contact face for contacting the first electrode and being configured to allow gas flow and exchange between the first interconnector and the first electrode, as well as a passage of an X-ray beam up to the first electrode, the second interconnector having a contact face for contacting the second electrode and being configured to allow gas flow and exchange between the second interconnector and the second electrode;
• and
• means for supplying the first and second interconnectors with current;
• wherein the device further comprises:
• a thermal and atmospheric containment chamber which comprises a body defining an internal cavity for housing a stack formed by the electrochemical cell sandwiched between the first and second interconnectors and which comprises a lid configured to close the cavity, the lid being provided with a window allowing X-rays to pass, the first interconnector being for being disposed in front of the lid such that X-rays passing through the window of the lid pass through the first interconnector to reach the first electrode;
• means for supplying the chamber with a reactive gas;
• means for discharging at least one gas from the chamber;
• and
• means for heating the cell and/or the reactive gas in the chamber at an operating temperature of the electrochemical cell, this operating temperature being at least equal to 450° C.;
• wherein the contact face of the first interconnector is a perforated element, the perforated parts of which are arranged homogeneously and form from 30% to 80% of the area of the perforated element;
• wherein the contact face of the second interconnector is a grooved element, adapted for distributing and/or collecting a gas.