Phase Evolutions of Electrode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries

Electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been extensively explored for improving the performance of LIBs since physical and chemical properties of electrodes largely govern the electrochemical properties. Advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques have been playing an essential role in characterizing electrode materials at nanoscales. With a combination of severalTEM based techniques, including in situ TEM, electron diffraction, and electron energy-loss spectroscopy, structural evolutions occurring electrode materials and their possible impact on electrochemical properties have been investigated. During the talk, I’ll briefly introduce the TEM based techniques and LIB technology for whom are not familiar with either of them. TEM analysis of lithium transition metal oxides will be shown to discuss the nascent structural degradations after electrochemical tests and its impact on thermal stability. Then, dynamical observation of lithium insertion into anode materials will be presented to explore how the materials store lithium ions in it.