Three-dimensional operando optical imaging of particle and electrolyte heterogeneities inside Li-ion batteries.
Nat Nanotechnol
; 18(10): 1185-1194, 2023 Oct.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37591934
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 LixCoO2 and LixNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2. 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.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article