2016-Sustainable Industrial Processing Summit
SIPS 2016 Volume 7: Yang Intl. Symp. / Multiscale Material Mechanics
| Editors: | Kongoli F, Aifantis E, Wang H, Zhu T |
| Publisher: | Flogen Star OUTREACH |
| Publication Year: | 2016 |
| Pages: | 190 pages |
| ISBN: | 978-1-987820-48-5 |
| ISSN: | 2291-1227 (Metals and Materials Processing in a Clean Environment Series) |
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In-Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy Studies of the Electrochemical Processes of Lithium Ion Battery Materials
Jianyu Huang1; Ju Li2; Ting Zhu3; Scott Mao4; Sulin Zhang5;1QINHUANGDAO, Qinhuangdao, China; 2MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Cambridge, United States; 3GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, Atlanta, United States; 4UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH, Pittsburgh, United States; 5PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY, University Park, United States;
Type of Paper: Regular
Id Paper: 305
Topic: 1
Abstract:
Lithium ion batteries (LIBs) are broadly used in portable electronics. However, for more demanding applications such as powering electrical vehicles and serving as a power backup for the flexible energy source, the energy density, power density, and cycle lifetime of current battery technologies need to be improved significantly. To achieve these goals, one needs to understand the fundamental science of LIBs. In this context, we created the first working lithium ion cell inside the high vacuum of a transmission electron microscope (TEM), enabling real time atomic scale visualization of the charging and discharging processes of individual nanowire and nano particle electrodes. We have conducted in-situ TEM electrochemical cycling of numerous battery materials, particularly the high energy density anode materials such as SnO2, Si, Al, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. Several electrochemical mechanisms were observed and characterized in real-time, including lithiation induced stress, volume changes, phase transformations, pulverization, cracking, embrittlement, and mechanical failure in anode materials. I will present a comparison between our in-situ results and electrochemical studies on conventional battery electrodes and highlight how in-situ studies can have an important impact on the design of LIBs. In the future, we will need further advancements in in-situ characterization for understanding important processes in LIBs. For example, liquid cells are required in order to examine the electrochemical reactions between battery materials and the standard battery electrolytes, which are ethylene carbonate-based. Furthermore, the structure evolution needs to be correlated with the electrochemical measurements. Finally, I will discuss outstanding challenging issues and opportunities in the field of applications of in-situ electron microscopy in LIBs, and general nanoscience and nanotechnology research.