Abstract
Recent advances in advanced analytical electron microscopy (AEM) and their implications for studying lithium-ion batteries are reviewed. Lithium-ion batteries are promising for powering electric vehicles and for use in smart grid applications, but require further optimization before they can achieve widespread use in these applications. Powerful advanced AEM techniques are ideal for gaining unprecedented insight into the dynamic processes of active lithium-ion batteries. Miaofang Chi, a research scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and her co-workers overview recent developments in novel AEM capabilities and demonstrate how such methods have created unrivaled opportunities for understanding the working mechanisms of battery materials. Both static, ex situ studies and newly developed in situ AEM techniques, which offer the opportunity to explore dynamic electrochemical processes during charging and discharging, are highlighted. The scientists also propose future directions.
Highlights
To implement the commercialization of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and smart grid systems, further improvements are required, especially with respect to the energy/power density, coulombic efficiency and cycle life
These parameters primarily depend on the diffusion of lithium-metal ions, electron transport, structure and chemical dynamics of the electrode/electrolyte materials, among others
Techniques based on analytical transmission electron microscopy (AEM) are ideal tools to study these issues
Summary
To implement the commercialization of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles and smart grid systems, further improvements are required, especially with respect to the energy/power density, coulombic efficiency and cycle life. In contrast to the open-cell configuration, the liquid-cell configuration allows for the integration of commonly used electrolytes and preserves the intimate electrode– electrolyte contact in real batteries It is presently the only electron microscopy technique that enables the in situ observation of the structural and chemical evolution of materials in a electrochemical cell with a high vapor pressure. With these advantages, researchers have acquired valuable insight that was difficult to obtain in the open-cell configuration. Regardless, this technique exhibits great potential to unravel the atomic-scale structural and chemical evolution during battery operation and is attracting increasingly intense interest
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