Pandya, R;
Valzania, L;
Dorchies, F;
Xia, F;
Mc Hugh, J;
Mathieson, A;
Tan, HJ;
... Grimaud, A; + view all
(2023)
Three-dimensional operando optical imaging of particle and electrolyte heterogeneities inside Li-ion batteries.
Nature Nanotechnology
, 18
pp. 1185-1194.
10.1038/s41565-023-01466-4.
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Abstract
Understanding (de)lithiation heterogeneities in battery materials is key to ensure optimal electrochemical performance. However, this remains challenging due to the three-dimensional morphology of electrode particles, the involvement of both solid- and liquid-phase reactants and a range of relevant timescales (seconds to hours). Here we overcome this problem and demonstrate the use of confocal microscopy for the simultaneous three-dimensional operando measurement of lithium-ion dynamics in individual agglomerate particles, and the electrolyte in batteries. We examine two technologically important cathode materials: Li xCoO2 and Li xNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2. The surface-to-core transport velocity of Li-phase fronts and volume changes are captured as a function of cycling rate. Additionally, we visualize heterogeneities in the bulk and at agglomerate surfaces during cycling, and image microscopic liquid electrolyte concentration gradients. We discover that surface-limited reactions and intra-agglomerate competing rates control (de)lithiation and structural heterogeneities in agglomerate-based electrodes. Importantly, the conditions under which optical imaging can be performed inside the complex environments of battery electrodes are outlined.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Three-dimensional operando optical imaging of particle and electrolyte heterogeneities inside Li-ion batteries |
| Location: | England |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1038/s41565-023-01466-4 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-023-01466-4 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | Batteries, Imaging studies, Imaging techniques |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > UCL BEAMS > Faculty of Engineering Science > Dept of Chemical Engineering |
| URI: | https://discovery-pp.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10176980 |
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