Uneven deposition on the Al electrode under tension strain

Abstract

Structural deformation and dendrite formation, which would impact the electrochemical processes of rechargeable metal batteries, are usually observed in the high-energy density metal electrodes. Herein, we design an in-situ optical mechano-electrochemical system to study Al deposition on the Al electrode in non-aqueous Al batteries under non-uniform strain. Inhomogeneous distribution of applied strain is realized by creating an oval hole in the Al electrode. The results of the in-situ experiments suggest that the dense Al deposition, which is related to the evolution of surface morphology and increasing reactive sites, is achieved in the regions of stress concentration. The evolution of surface morphology is monitored by the in-situ tension experiments using scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. Besides, a qualitative mathematical model is employed to analyze the changes of the local reaction rate owing to the changed surface morphology and the cracks of oxide film under tensile stress. The results are useful to understand the Al deposition when the mechanical force is applied to the metal electrode.