Tracking lithium transport and electrochemical reactions in nanoparticles

Feng Wang (), Hui-Chia Yu, Min-Hua Chen, Lijun Wu, Nathalie Pereira, Katsuyo Thornton, Anton Van der Ven, Yimei Zhu, Glenn G. Amatucci and Jason Graetz ()
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Feng Wang: Brookhaven National Laboratory
Hui-Chia Yu: University of Michigan
Min-Hua Chen: University of Michigan
Lijun Wu: Brookhaven National Laboratory
Nathalie Pereira: Rutgers University
Katsuyo Thornton: University of Michigan
Anton Van der Ven: University of Michigan
Yimei Zhu: Brookhaven National Laboratory
Glenn G. Amatucci: Rutgers University
Jason Graetz: Brookhaven National Laboratory

Nature Communications, 2012, vol. 3, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Expectations for the next generation of lithium batteries include greater energy and power densities along with a substantial increase in both calendar and cycle life. Developing new materials to meet these goals requires a better understanding of how electrodes function by tracking physical and chemical changes of active components in a working electrode. Here we develop a new, simple in-situ electrochemical cell for the transmission electron microscope and use it to track lithium transport and conversion in FeF2 nanoparticles by nanoscale imaging, diffraction and spectroscopy. In this system, lithium conversion is initiated at the surface, sweeping rapidly across the FeF2 particles, followed by a gradual phase transformation in the bulk, resulting in 1–3 nm iron crystallites mixed with amorphous LiF. The real-time imaging reveals a surprisingly fast conversion process in individual particles (complete in a few minutes), with a morphological evolution resembling spinodal decomposition. This work provides new insights into the inter- and intra-particle lithium transport and kinetics of lithium conversion reactions, and may help to pave the way to develop high-energy conversion electrodes for lithium-ion batteries.

Date: 2012
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2185

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