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Moghaddam M, Godeffroy L, Jasielec JJ, Kostopoulos N, Noël JM, Piquemal JY, Lemineur JF, Peljo P, Kanoufi F. Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy Meets Optical Microscopy: Probing the Local Paths of Charge Transfer Operando in Booster-Microparticles for Flow Batteries. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024:e2309607. [PMID: 38757541 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202309607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the oxidation/reduction dynamics of secondary microparticles formed from agglomerated nanoscale primary particles is crucial for advancing electrochemical energy storage technologies. In this study, the behavior of individual copper hexacyanoferrate (CuHCF) microparticles is explored at both global and local scales combining scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), for electrochemical interrogation of a single, but global-scale microparticle, and optical microscopy monitoring to obtain a higher resolution dynamic image of the local electrochemistry within the same particle. Chronoamperometric experiments unveil a multistep oxidation/reduction process with varying dynamics. On the one hand, the global SECM analysis enables quantifying the charge transfer as well as its dynamics at the single microparticle level during the oxidation/reduction cycles by a redox mediator in solution. These conditions allow mimicking the charge storage processes in these particles when they are used as solid boosters in redox flow batteries. On the other hand, optical imaging with sub-particle resolution allows the mapping of local conversion rates and state-of-charge within individual CuHCF particles. These maps reveal that regions of different material loadings exhibit varying charge storage capacities and conversion rates. The findings highlight the significance of porous nanostructures and provide valuable insights for designing more efficient energy storage materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahdi Moghaddam
- Research Group of Battery Materials and Technologies, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku, Turun Yliopisto, 20014, Finland
| | | | - Jerzy J Jasielec
- Research Group of Battery Materials and Technologies, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku, Turun Yliopisto, 20014, Finland
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Modelling, Faculty of Materials Science and Ceramics, AGH University of Science and Technology, Al. Mickiewicza 30, Kraków, 30-059, Poland
| | | | - Jean-Marc Noël
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, ITODYS, Paris, F-75013, France
| | | | | | - Pekka Peljo
- Research Group of Battery Materials and Technologies, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Turku, Turun Yliopisto, 20014, Finland
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Mao J, Li G, Xu D, Hao R. Direct imaging of dynamic heterogeneous lithium-gold interaction at the electrochemical interface during the charging/discharging processes. Chem Sci 2024; 15:3192-3202. [PMID: 38425538 PMCID: PMC10901480 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc05021a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Lithium can smoothly plate on certain lithium alloys in theory, such as the Li-Au alloy, making the alloy/metal films promising current collectors for high energy density anode-free batteries. However, the actual performance of the batteries with alloy film electrodes often rapidly deteriorates. It remains challenging for current imaging approaches to provide sufficient details for fully understanding the process. Here, a "see-through" operando optical microscopic approach that allows direct imaging of Li-Au interaction with high spatiotemporal and chemical resolution has been developed. Through this approach, a two-step Li-Au alloying process that exhibits interesting complementary spatiotemporal evolution paths has been discovered. The alloying process regulates the nucleation of further Li deposition, while the Li nucleation sites generate pores on the electrode film. After several cycles, film rupture occurs due to the generation of an increased number of pores, thus explaining the previously unclear mechanism of poor cycling stability. We have also elucidated the deterioration mechanism of silver electrodes: the growth of defect pores in size, independent of the alloying process. Overall, this new imaging approach opens up an effective and simple way to monitor the dynamic heterogeneity of metal-metal interaction at the electrochemical interface, which could provide helpful insight for designing high-performance batteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Mao
- Department of Chemistry, Research Center for Chemical Biology and Omics Analysis, Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen 518055 China
| | - Guopeng Li
- Department of Chemistry, Research Center for Chemical Biology and Omics Analysis, Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen 518055 China
| | - Dongwei Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Research Center for Chemical Biology and Omics Analysis, Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen 518055 China
| | - Rui Hao
- Department of Chemistry, Research Center for Chemical Biology and Omics Analysis, Southern University of Science and Technology Shenzhen 518055 China
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3
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Xie RC, Gao J, Wang SC, Li H, Wang W. Optically Imaging In Situ Effects of Electrochemical Cycling on Single Nanoparticle Electrocatalysis. Anal Chem 2024. [PMID: 38285921 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
Single-nanoparticle studies often need one or a series of nanoparticle populations that are designed with differences in a nominally particular structural parameter to clarify the structure-activity relationship (SAR). However, the heterogeneity of various properties within any population would make it rather difficult to approach an ideal one-parameter control. In situ modification ensures the same nanoparticle to be investigated and also avoids complicating effects from the otherwise often needed ex situ operations. Herein, we apply electrochemical cycling to single platinum nanoparticles and optically examine their SAR. An electrocatalytic fluorescent microscopic method is established to evaluate the apparent catalytic activity of a number of single nanoparticles toward the oxygen reduction reaction. Meanwhile, dark-field microscopy with the substrate electrode under a cyclic potential control is found to be able to assess the electrochemically active surface area (ECSA) of single nanoparticles via induced chloride redox electrochemistry. Consequently, nanoparticles with drastically increased catalytic activity are discovered to have larger ECSAs upon potential regulation, and interestingly, there are also a few particles with decreased activity, as opposed to the overall trend, that all develop a smaller ECSA in the process. The deactivated nanoparticles against the overall enhancement effects of potential cycling are revealed for the first time. As such, the SAR of single nanoparticles when subjected to an in situ structural control is optically demonstrated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruo-Chen Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Jia Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Si-Cong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Haoran Li
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center (ChemBIC), Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
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Merryweather AJ, Jacquet Q, Emge SP, Schnedermann C, Rao A, Grey CP. Operando monitoring of single-particle kinetic state-of-charge heterogeneities and cracking in high-rate Li-ion anodes. NATURE MATERIALS 2022; 21:1306-1313. [PMID: 35970962 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-022-01324-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
To rationalize and improve the performance of newly developed high-rate battery electrode materials, it is crucial to understand the ion intercalation and degradation mechanisms occurring during realistic battery operation. Here we apply a laboratory-based operando optical scattering microscopy method to study micrometre-sized rod-like particles of the anode material Nb14W3O44 during high-rate cycling. We directly visualize elongation of the particles, which, by comparison with ensemble X-ray diffraction, allows us to determine changes in the state of charge of individual particles. A continuous change in scattering intensity with state of charge enables the observation of non-equilibrium kinetic phase separations within individual particles. Phase field modelling (informed by pulsed-field-gradient nuclear magnetic resonance and electrochemical experiments) supports the kinetic origin of this separation, which arises from the state-of-charge dependence of the Li-ion diffusion coefficient. The non-equilibrium phase separations lead to particle cracking at high rates of delithiation, particularly in longer particles, with some of the resulting fragments becoming electrically disconnected on subsequent cycling. These results demonstrate the power of optical scattering microscopy to track rapid non-equilibrium processes that would be inaccessible with established characterization techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice J Merryweather
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- The Faraday Institution, Didcot, UK
| | - Quentin Jacquet
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Steffen P Emge
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Christoph Schnedermann
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- The Faraday Institution, Didcot, UK.
| | - Akshay Rao
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- The Faraday Institution, Didcot, UK.
| | - Clare P Grey
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- The Faraday Institution, Didcot, UK.
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Lemineur JF, Wang H, Wang W, Kanoufi F. Emerging Optical Microscopy Techniques for Electrochemistry. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (PALO ALTO, CALIF.) 2022; 15:57-82. [PMID: 35216529 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-anchem-061020-015943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
An optical microscope is probably the most intuitive, simple, and commonly used instrument to observe objects and discuss behaviors through images. Although the idea of imaging electrochemical processes operando by optical microscopy was initiated 40 years ago, it was not until significant progress was made in the last two decades in advanced optical microscopy or plasmonics that it could become a mainstream electroanalytical strategy. This review illustrates the potential of different optical microscopies to visualize and quantify local electrochemical processes with unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution (below the diffraction limit), up to the single object level with subnanoparticle or single-molecule sensitivity. Developed through optically and electrochemically active model systems, optical microscopy is now shifting to materials and configurations focused on real-world electrochemical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China;
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China;
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Determining the depth of surface charging layer of single Prussian blue nanoparticles with pseudocapacitive behaviors. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2316. [PMID: 35484125 PMCID: PMC9051208 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30058-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the hybrid charge-storage mechanisms of pseudocapacitive nanomaterials holds promising keys to further improve the performance of energy storage devices. Based on the dependence of the light scattering intensity of single Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) on their oxidation state during sinusoidal potential modulation at varying frequencies, we present an electro-optical microscopic imaging approach to optically acquire the Faradaic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (oEIS) of single PBNPs. Here we reveal typical pseudocapacitive behavior with hybrid charge-storage mechanisms depending on the modulation frequency. In the low-frequency range, the optical amplitude is inversely proportional to the square root of the frequency (∆I ∝ f−0.5; diffusion-limited process), while in the high-frequency range, it is inversely proportional to the frequency (∆I ∝ f−1; surface charging process). Because the geometry of single cuboid-shaped PBNPs can be precisely determined by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy, oEIS of single PBNPs allows the determination of the depth of the surface charging layer, revealing it to be ~2 unit cells regardless of the nanoparticle size. The surface charging layer in nanomaterials, which determines their pseudocapacitive behavior, is challenging to characterize. Here the authors perform Faradic electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements of single cuboid Prussian blue nanoparticles, displaying a hybrid charge storage mechanism, and determine the depth of the surface charging layer.
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Su H, Wang W. Dynamically Monitoring the Photodeposition of Single Cocatalyst Nanoparticles on Semiconductors via Fluorescence Imaging. Anal Chem 2021; 93:11915-11919. [PMID: 34424667 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c01908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Loading of cocatalysts through photodeposition has been considered as one of the most promising methods to improve the photocatalytic activities of semiconductors, because of the advantages of intimate contact, easy preparation, and site-directed loading. While extensive efforts have been made to characterize the cocatalysts after synthesis, the growth kinetics of cocatalysts during photodeposition is largely a black box, thus leading to relatively empirical optimizations on the loading strategies of cocatalysts to date. Herein, we dynamically imaged the photodeposition of single cocatalysts on semiconductors via a wide-field fluorescence (FL) microscope, utilizing g-C3N4 sheets and CdS nanowires as models. This capability was based on the quenching effect of cocatalysts on the intrinsic FL emission of semiconductors. Single cocatalyst study revealed that FL emission of photocatalysts decayed monoexponentially during photodeposition, and cocatalysts possessed a self-limited growth. The significant heterogeneities (differences) of cocatalysts during photodeposition were also uncovered, regarding the apparent induction time, deposition rate and FL quenching amplitude. These informations were difficult to be accessed using the ex situ characterization. Programmable photodeposition and dissolution of CoxP were also realized, utilizing a focused laser beam with a spot size of <1 μm. This work explored the hidden details of the growth of cocatalysts during photodeposition, opening up a new avenue to optimize photodeposition for rationally designing more efficient photocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Su
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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Merryweather AJ, Schnedermann C, Jacquet Q, Grey CP, Rao A. Operando optical tracking of single-particle ion dynamics in batteries. Nature 2021; 594:522-528. [PMID: 34163058 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03584-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The key to advancing lithium-ion battery technology-in particular, fast charging-is the ability to follow and understand the dynamic processes occurring in functioning materials under realistic conditions, in real time and on the nano- to mesoscale. Imaging of lithium-ion dynamics during battery operation (operando imaging) at present requires sophisticated synchrotron X-ray1-7 or electron microscopy8,9 techniques, which do not lend themselves to high-throughput material screening. This limits rapid and rational materials improvements. Here we introduce a simple laboratory-based, optical interferometric scattering microscope10-13 to resolve nanoscopic lithium-ion dynamics in battery materials, and apply it to follow cycling of individual particles of the archetypal cathode material14,15, LixCoO2, within an electrode matrix. We visualize the insulator-to-metal, solid solution and lithium ordering phase transitions directly and determine rates of lithium diffusion at the single-particle level, identifying different mechanisms on charge and discharge. Finally, we capture the dynamic formation of domain boundaries between different crystal orientations associated with the monoclinic lattice distortion at the Li0.5CoO2 composition16. The high-throughput nature of our methodology allows many particles to be sampled across the entire electrode and in future will enable exploration of the role of dislocations, morphologies and cycling rate on battery degradation. The generality of our imaging concept means that it can be applied to study any battery electrode, and more broadly, systems where the transport of ions is associated with electronic or structural changes. Such systems include nanoionic films, ionic conducting polymers, photocatalytic materials and memristors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice J Merryweather
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Quentin Jacquet
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Clare P Grey
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Akshay Rao
- Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Cashen C, Evans RC, Nilsson ZN, Sambur JB. Local Substrate Heterogeneity Influences Electrochemical Activity of TEM Grid-Supported Battery Particles. Front Chem 2021; 9:651248. [PMID: 33816440 PMCID: PMC8017160 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.651248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding how particle size and morphology influence ion insertion dynamics is critical for a wide range of electrochemical applications including energy storage and electrochromic smart windows. One strategy to reveal such structure–property relationships is to perform ex situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of nanoparticles that have been cycled on TEM grid electrodes. One drawback of this approach is that images of some particles are correlated with the electrochemical response of the entire TEM grid electrode. The lack of one-to-one electrochemical-to-structural information complicates interpretation of genuine structure/property relationships. Developing high-throughput ex situ single particle-level analytical techniques that effectively link electrochemical behavior with structural properties could accelerate the discovery of critical structure-property relationships. Here, using Li-ion insertion in WO3 nanorods as a model system, we demonstrate a correlated optically-detected electrochemistry and TEM technique that measures electrochemical behavior of via many particles simultaneously without having to make electrical contacts to single particles on the TEM grid. This correlated optical-TEM approach can link particle structure with electrochemical behavior at the single particle-level. Our measurements revealed significant electrochemical activity heterogeneity among particles. Single particle activity correlated with distinct local mechanical or electrical properties of the amorphous carbon film of the TEM grid, leading to active and inactive particles. The results are significant for correlated electrochemical/TEM imaging studies that aim to reveal structure-property relationships using single particle-level imaging and ensemble-level electrochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Cashen
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - R Colby Evans
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Zach N Nilsson
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
| | - Justin B Sambur
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
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Evans RC, Nilsson Z, Balch B, Wang L, Neilson JR, Weinberger CR, Sambur JB. Quantifying Capacitive‐Like and Battery‐Like Charge Storage Contributions Using Single‐Nanoparticle Electro‐optical Imaging. ChemElectroChem 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/celc.201902011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Colby Evans
- Department of Chemistry Colorado State University Centre Ave Fort Collins CO, 80523
| | - Zach Nilsson
- Department of Chemistry Colorado State University Centre Ave Fort Collins CO, 80523
| | - Brenden Balch
- Department of Mathematics Colorado State University 1874 Campus Delivery Fort Collins CO, 80523
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Chemistry Colorado State University Centre Ave Fort Collins CO, 80523
| | - James R. Neilson
- Department of Chemistry Colorado State University Centre Ave Fort Collins CO, 80523
| | - Christopher R. Weinberger
- School of Advanced Material Discovery Colorado State University 1350 Center Ave Fort Collins CO, 80521
- Department of Mechanical Engineering Colorado State University 400 Isotope Dr Fort Collins CO 80521
| | - Justin B. Sambur
- Department of Chemistry Colorado State University Centre Ave Fort Collins CO, 80523
- School of Advanced Material Discovery Colorado State University 1350 Center Ave Fort Collins CO, 80521
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