In-situ electron microscopy and spectroscopy studies of interfaces in advanced Li-ion batteries under dynamic operation conditions
EMSL Project ID
30203
Abstract
Repeated charging and discharging of the Li-ion battery induces microstructural evolutions both at the interface between the electrolyte and the electrode and within the electrode (active materials) due to Li migration. Although it has been established that this structural evolution of active materials is responsible for the failure of the battery, the mechanisms of the microstructural evolutions as a function of charging/discharging are not well understood. Advanced diagnostic tools such as electron microscopy along with other surface and bulk sensitive tools, often in ex-situ mode, have been used to probe into this scientific issue. However, it has been realized that characterizing this interface using an ex-situ capability is a challenge as this interface is only stable under the operating conditions. In-situ capabilities that enable the observation of the structural and chemical changes during the dynamic operation of battery are needed for addressing this scientific challenge. The main objective of the proposed research is to develop fundamental scientific understanding of the chemical and structural evolution at the interface between the electrolyte and the electrode as well as within the electrodes under the dynamic operation conditions. In particular, we will design experiments to "observe" the dynamic evolution of the interface and internal structure of electrode during the operation of the battery in a TEM, and ultimately to seek atomic and nanoscale understanding of the mechanisms associated with the following: Nature of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI)/electrode interface along with the movement of the interface inside the electrode during charging/discharging.
 Change in the composition/structure of the SEI layer along with the orientation/morphology of the nanostructured electrodes.
 Li ion intercalation and deintercalation mechanisms during the operation of the electrochemical cell.
A much needed in-situ electron microscopy capability will be developed to address these scientific questions at EMSL. The planned specific in-situ experiments and capabilities will provide information currently not available through the ex-situ microscopy and spectroscopy methods.
Project Details
Start Date
2008-06-03
End Date
2010-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members
Related Publications
Huang JY, L Zhong, CM Wang, JP Sullivan, W Xu, LQ Zhang, S Mao, N Hudak, XH Liu, AK Subramanian, H Fan, L Qi, A Kushima, and J Li. 2010. "In Situ Observation of the Electrochemical Lithiation of a Single SnO2 Nanowire Electrode." Science 330(6010):1515-1520. doi:10.1126/science.1195628
Wang CM, W Xu, J Liu, D Choi, BW Arey, LV Saraf, J Zhang, Z Yang, S Thevuthasan, DR Baer, and N Salmon. 2010. "In-situ Transmission Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy Studies of Interfaces in Li-ion Batteries: Challenges and Opportunities." Journal of Materials Research 25(8):1541-1547. doi:10.1557/JMR.2010.0198
Wang CM, Z Yang, S Thevuthasan, J Liu, DR Baer, D Choi, D Wang, J Zhang, LV Saraf, and Z Nie. 2009. "Crystal and Electronic Structure of Lithiated Nanosized RutileTiO2 by Electron Diffraction and Electron Energy-loss Spectroscopy." Applied Physics Letters 94(23):Art. No.: 233116. doi:10.1063/1.3152783
Yang L, XY Yu, Z Zhu, S Thevuthasan, and JP Cowin. 2011. "Making a Hybrid Microfluidic Platform Compatible for In Situ Imaging by Vacuum-Based Techniques." Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A--Vacuum, Surfaces and Films 29(6):Article No. 061101. doi:10.1116/1.3654147
Yang L, Z Zhu, XY Yu, G Rodek, LV Saraf, S Thevuthasan, and JP Cowin. 2014. "In situ ToF-SIMS and SEM analysis of IgG conjugated gold nanoparticles at aqueous surfaces." Surface and Interface Analysis 46(4):224-228. doi:10.1002/sia.5252