Cryogenic electron microscopy （cryo-EM） characterizing beam-sensitive materials in lithium metal batteries

doi:10.19799/j.cnki.2095-4239.2021.0703

Abstract

Abstract:

Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), a powerful tool for the characterization of beam-sensitive materials, has been widely used in the life sciences and was awarded the Noble Prize in Chemistry in 2017. It was also used for the first time to visualize the nanostructure of lithium metal and yield some unprecedented results, attracting much attention and applications in the battery field. Cryo-treatment or low temperature can not only effectively alleviate the radiation damage produced by the high-energy electron beam, but it can also greatly reduce the reactivity and enhance the stability of the sample. Cryo-EM can provide structural information at the nano and even atomic scale. This review focuses on cryo-EM applications and achievements for Li metal batteries, including cryogenic focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-FIB-SEM) and cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM). It will assist the audience in comprehending the benefits and essential role of cryo-EM in exploring the operating principle of batteries and illuminating material design. The plating and stripping behaviors of the Li metal, the nanostructure of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), the Li-storage mechanism of lithiophilic substrates, solid-solid interfaces in all-solid-state batteries, and cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) are all applications of interest. Finally, we provide a perspective on the future technological development of cryo-EM as well as its potential application and opportunities in the battery field. The advancement of cryo-EM is expected to contribute to probing the structures of battery materials and interfaces, understanding the failure mechanisms, and thus facilitate the development of higher-energy and safer batteries.

Key words: cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM), cryogenic focus ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (cryo-FIB-SEM), cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM), lithium metal battery, solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI)

CLC Number:

TM 911

Suting WENG, Zepeng LIU, Gaojing YANG, Simeng ZHANG, Xiao ZHANG, Qiu FANG, Yejing LI, Zhaoxiang WANG, Xuefeng WANG, Liquan CHEN. Cryogenic electron microscopy （cryo-EM） characterizing beam-sensitive materials in lithium metal batteries[J]. Energy Storage Science and Technology, 2022, 11(3): 760-780.

Figures/Tables 1

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