1
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Yoshida K, Sasaki Y, Kuwabara A, Ikuhara Y. Applications of electron microscopic observations to electrochemistry in liquid electrolytes for batteries. Microscopy (Oxf) 2024; 73:154-168. [PMID: 37698551 DOI: 10.1093/jmicro/dfad044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Herein, we review notable points from observations of electrochemical reactions in a liquid electrolyte by liquid-phase electron microscopy. In situ microscopic observations of electrochemical reactions are urgently required, particularly to solve various battery issues. Battery performance is evaluated by various electrochemical measurements of bulk samples. However, it is necessary to understand the physical/chemical phenomena occurring in batteries to elucidate the reaction mechanisms. Thus, in situ microscopic observation is effective for understanding the reactions that occur in batteries. Herein, we focus on two methods, of the liquid phase (scanning) transmission electron microscopy and liquid phase scanning electron microscopy, and summarize the advantages and disadvantages of both methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaname Yoshida
- Nanostructures Research Laboratory, Japan Fine Ceramics Center, 2-4-1 Mutsuno, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya 456-8587, Japan
| | - Yuki Sasaki
- Nanostructures Research Laboratory, Japan Fine Ceramics Center, 2-4-1 Mutsuno, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya 456-8587, Japan
| | - Akihide Kuwabara
- Nanostructures Research Laboratory, Japan Fine Ceramics Center, 2-4-1 Mutsuno, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya 456-8587, Japan
| | - Yuichi Ikuhara
- Nanostructures Research Laboratory, Japan Fine Ceramics Center, 2-4-1 Mutsuno, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya 456-8587, Japan
- Institute of Engineering Innovation, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 2-11-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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2
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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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Ji P, Lei X, Su D. In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy Methods for Lithium-Ion Batteries. SMALL METHODS 2024:e2301539. [PMID: 38385838 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202301539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
In situ Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) stands as an invaluable instrument for the real-time examination of the structural changes in materials. It features ultrahigh spatial resolution and powerful analytical capability, making it significantly versatile across diverse fields. Particularly in the realm of Lithium-Ion Batteries (LIBs), in situ TEM is extensively utilized for real-time analysis of phase transitions, degradation mechanisms, and the lithiation process during charging and discharging. This review aims to provide an overview of the latest advancements in in situ TEM applications for LIBs. Additionally, it compares the suitability and effectiveness of two techniques: the open cell technique and the liquid cell technique. The technical aspects of both the open cell and liquid cell techniques are introduced, followed by a comparison of their applications in cathodes, anodes, solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, and lithium dendrite growth in LIBs. Lastly, the review concludes by stimulating discussions on possible future research trajectories that hold potential to expedite the progression of battery technology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengxiang Ji
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xincheng Lei
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Dong Su
- Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Institute of Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China
- School of Physical Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
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4
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Chee SW, Lunkenbein T, Schlögl R, Roldán Cuenya B. Operando Electron Microscopy of Catalysts: The Missing Cornerstone in Heterogeneous Catalysis Research? Chem Rev 2023; 123:13374-13418. [PMID: 37967448 PMCID: PMC10722467 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Heterogeneous catalysis in thermal gas-phase and electrochemical liquid-phase chemical conversion plays an important role in our modern energy landscape. However, many of the structural features that drive efficient chemical energy conversion are still unknown. These features are, in general, highly distinct on the local scale and lack translational symmetry, and thus, they are difficult to capture without the required spatial and temporal resolution. Correlating these structures to their function will, conversely, allow us to disentangle irrelevant and relevant features, explore the entanglement of different local structures, and provide us with the necessary understanding to tailor novel catalyst systems with improved productivity. This critical review provides a summary of the still immature field of operando electron microscopy for thermal gas-phase and electrochemical liquid-phase reactions. It focuses on the complexity of investigating catalytic reactions and catalysts, progress in the field, and analysis. The forthcoming advances are discussed in view of correlative techniques, artificial intelligence in analysis, and novel reactor designs.
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Affiliation(s)
- See Wee Chee
- Department
of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber Institute
of the Max-Planck Society, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Lunkenbein
- Department
of Inorganic Chemistry, Fritz-Haber Institute
of the Max-Planck Society, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Schlögl
- Department
of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber Institute
of the Max-Planck Society, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Beatriz Roldán Cuenya
- Department
of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber Institute
of the Max-Planck Society, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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5
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Kang Z, Zhang J, Guo X, Mao Y, Yang Z, Kankala RK, Zhao P, Chen AZ. Observing the Evolution of Metal Oxides in Liquids. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023; 19:e2304781. [PMID: 37635095 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202304781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
Metal oxides with diverse compositions and structures have garnered considerable interest from researchers in various reactions, which benefits from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) in determining their morphologies, phase, structural and chemical information. Recent breakthroughs have made liquid-phase TEM a promising imaging platform for tracking the dynamic structure, morphology, and composition evolution of metal oxides in solution under work conditions. Herein, this review introduces the recent advances in liquid cells, especially closed liquid cell chips. Subsequently, the recent progress including particle growth, phase transformation, self-assembly, core-shell nanostructure growth, and chemical etching are introduced. With the late technical advances in TEM and liquid cells, liquid-phase TEM is used to characterize many fundamental processes of metal oxides for CO2 reduction and water-splitting reactions. Finally, the outlook and challenges in this research field are discussed. It is believed this compilation inspires and stimulates more efforts in developing and utilizing in situ liquid-phase TEM for metal oxides at the atomic scale for different applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zewen Kang
- Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
| | - Junyu Zhang
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Laboratory and Equipment Management Department, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
| | - Xiaohua Guo
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Laboratory and Equipment Management Department, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
| | - Yangfan Mao
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Laboratory and Equipment Management Department, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
| | - Zhimin Yang
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Laboratory and Equipment Management Department, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
| | - Ranjith Kumar Kankala
- Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
| | - Peng Zhao
- Instrumental Analysis Center, Laboratory and Equipment Management Department, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
| | - Ai-Zheng Chen
- Institute of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering, Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Technology, Huaqiao University, Xiamen, 361021, P. R. China
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6
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Shen TH, Girod R, Tileli V. Insights into Electrocatalyst Transformations Studied in Real Time with Electrochemical Liquid-Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy. Acc Chem Res 2023; 56:3023-3032. [PMID: 37874852 PMCID: PMC10634301 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
ConspectusThe value of operando and in situ characterization methodologies for understanding electrochemical systems under operation can be inferred from the upsurge of studies that have reported mechanistic insights into electrocatalytic processes based on such measurements. Despite the widespread availability of performing dynamic experiments nowadays, these techniques are in their infancy because the complexity of the experimental design and the collection and analysis of data remain challenging, effectively necessitating future developments. It is also due to their extensive use that a dedicated modus operandi for acquiring dynamic electrocatalytic information is imperative. In this Account, we focus on the work of our laboratory on electrochemical liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (ec-LPTEM) to understand the transformation/activation of state-of-the-art nanocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and CO2 electroreduction (CO2ER). We begin by describing the development of electrochemical microcells for TEM studies, highlighting the importance of tailoring the system to each electrochemical process to obtain reliable results. Starting with the anodic OER for alkaline electrolyzers, we demonstrate the capability of real-time monitoring of the electrowetting behavior of Co-based oxide catalysts and detail the fascinating insights gained into solid-liquid interfaces for the reversible surface reconstruction of the catalystic surfaces and their degradation processes. Importantly, in the case of the OER, we report the exceptional capacity of ec-LPTEM to probe gaseous products and therefore resolve solid-liquid-gas phenomena. Moving toward the cathodic ORR for fuel cells, we summarize studies that pertain to the evaluation of the degradation mechanisms of Pt nanoparticles and discuss the issues with performing real-time measurements on realistic catalyst layers that are composed of the carbon support, ionomer network, and Pt nanocatalysts. For the most cathodic CO2ER, we first discuss the challenges of spatiotemporal data collection in microcells under these negative potentials. We then show that control over the electrochemical stimuli is critical for determining the mechanism of restructuring/dissolution of Cu nanospheres, either for focusing on the first stages of the reaction or for start/stop operation studies. Finally, we close this Account with the possible evolution in the way we visualize electrochemical processes with ec-LPTEM and emphasize the need for studies that bridge the scales with the ultimate goal of fully evaluating the impact of the insights obtained from the in situ-monitored processes on the operability of electrocatalytic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Hsien Shen
- Institute of Materials, École
Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Robin Girod
- Institute of Materials, École
Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vasiliki Tileli
- Institute of Materials, École
Polytechnique Fédérale
de Lausanne, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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7
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Dachraoui W, Pauer R, Battaglia C, Erni R. Operando Electrochemical Liquid Cell Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Investigation of the Growth and Evolution of the Mosaic Solid Electrolyte Interphase for Lithium-Ion Batteries. ACS NANO 2023; 17:20434-20444. [PMID: 37831942 PMCID: PMC10604081 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c06879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) is a key component of a lithium-ion battery forming during the first few dischage/charge cycles at the interface between the anode and the electrolyte. The SEI passivates the anode-electrolyte interface by inhibiting further electrolyte decomposition, extending the battery's cycle life. Insights into SEI growth and evolution in terms of structure and composition remain difficult to access. To unravel the formation of the SEI layer during the first cycles, operando electrochemical liquid cell scanning transmission electron microscopy (ec-LC-STEM) is employed to monitor in real time the nanoscale processes that occur at the anode-electrolyte interface in their native electrolyte environment. The results show that the formation of the SEI layer is not a one-step process but comprises multiple steps. The growth of the SEI is initiated at low potential during the first charge by decomposition of the electrolyte leading to the nucleation of inorganic nanoparticles. Thereafter, the growth continues during subsequent cycles by forming an island-like layer. Eventually, a dense layer is formed with a mosaic structure composed of larger inorganic patches embedded in a matrix of organic compounds. While the mosaic model for the structure of the SEI is generally accepted, our observations document in detail how the complex structure of the SEI is built up during discharge/charge cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walid Dachraoui
- Electron
Microscopy Center, Empa—Swiss Federal
Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Materials
for Energy Conversion, Empa—Swiss
Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Robin Pauer
- Electron
Microscopy Center, Empa—Swiss Federal
Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Corsin Battaglia
- Materials
for Energy Conversion, Empa—Swiss
Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Departement
of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering—ETH Zürich, Gloriastrasse
35, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
- Institute
of Materials−EPFL, Station 12, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Rolf Erni
- Electron
Microscopy Center, Empa—Swiss Federal
Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Überlandstrasse 129, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
- Departement
of Materials—ETH Zürich, Wolfgang-Pauli-Strasse 10, 8049 Zürich, Switzerland
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8
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Lodico JJ, Mecklenburg M, Chan HL, Chen Y, Ling XY, Regan BC. Operando spectral imaging of the lithium ion battery's solid-electrolyte interphase. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadg5135. [PMID: 37436993 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adg5135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The lithium-ion battery is currently the preferred power source for applications ranging from smart phones to electric vehicles. Imaging the chemical reactions governing its function as they happen, with nanoscale spatial resolution and chemical specificity, is a long-standing open problem. Here, we demonstrate operando spectrum imaging of a Li-ion battery anode over multiple charge-discharge cycles using electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). Using ultrathin Li-ion cells, we acquire reference EELS spectra for the various constituents of the solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer and then apply these "chemical fingerprints" to high-resolution, real-space mapping of the corresponding physical structures. We observe the growth of Li and LiH dendrites in the SEI and fingerprint the SEI itself. High spatial- and spectral-resolution operando imaging of the air-sensitive liquid chemistries of the Li-ion cell opens a direct route to understanding the complex, dynamic mechanisms that affect battery safety, capacity, and lifetime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jared J Lodico
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Matthew Mecklenburg
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- Core Center of Excellence in Nano Imaging, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Ho Leung Chan
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Yueyun Chen
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Xin Yi Ling
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - B C Regan
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
- California NanoSystems Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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9
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Huang Z, Zhou Y, Deng Z, Huang K, Xu M, Shen Y, Huang Y. Precise State-of-Charge Mapping via Deep Learning on Ultrasonic Transmission Signals for Lithium-Ion Batteries. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:8217-8223. [PMID: 36735828 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c22210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The uneven distribution of state of charge (SoC) in the lithium-ion battery is a key factor to cause fast decay of local electrochemical performance. Here, we report an acoustic method to realize SoC mapping in a pouch cell. A focused ultrasound beam is used to scan the cell, and the transmitted ultrasonic wave is analyzed with a deep learning algorithm based on the feedforward neural network. The deep learning algorithm effectively suppresses the disturbance of structural variation in different cells. As a result, the root mean squared error (RMSE) of the estimated local SoC is reduced to 3.02% when applying to different positions on different pouch cells, which is 11.07% of the RMSE by direct fitting SoC with acoustic time of flight. Combining with the progressive scanning technique, our method can realize non-destructive in situ SoC mapping with 1 mm in-plane resolution on pouch cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei430074, China
- Wuxi Topsound Technology Co., Ltd., Wuxi, Jiangsu214000, China
| | - Yu Zhou
- Wuxi Topsound Technology Co., Ltd., Wuxi, Jiangsu214000, China
| | - Zhe Deng
- Wuxi Topsound Technology Co., Ltd., Wuxi, Jiangsu214000, China
| | - Kai Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei430074, China
| | - Mingkang Xu
- Wuxi Topsound Technology Co., Ltd., Wuxi, Jiangsu214000, China
| | - Yue Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei430074, China
| | - Yunhui Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Material Processing and Die & Mould Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei430074, China
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10
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Yang Y, Louisia S, Yu S, Jin J, Roh I, Chen C, Fonseca Guzman MV, Feijóo J, Chen PC, Wang H, Pollock CJ, Huang X, Shao YT, Wang C, Muller DA, Abruña HD, Yang P. Operando studies reveal active Cu nanograins for CO 2 electroreduction. Nature 2023; 614:262-269. [PMID: 36755171 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-05540-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 70.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Carbon dioxide electroreduction facilitates the sustainable synthesis of fuels and chemicals1. Although Cu enables CO2-to-multicarbon product (C2+) conversion, the nature of the active sites under operating conditions remains elusive2. Importantly, identifying active sites of high-performance Cu nanocatalysts necessitates nanoscale, time-resolved operando techniques3-5. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation of the structural dynamics during the life cycle of Cu nanocatalysts. A 7 nm Cu nanoparticle ensemble evolves into metallic Cu nanograins during electrolysis before complete oxidation to single-crystal Cu2O nanocubes following post-electrolysis air exposure. Operando analytical and four-dimensional electrochemical liquid-cell scanning transmission electron microscopy shows the presence of metallic Cu nanograins under CO2 reduction conditions. Correlated high-energy-resolution time-resolved X-ray spectroscopy suggests that metallic Cu, rich in nanograin boundaries, supports undercoordinated active sites for C-C coupling. Quantitative structure-activity correlation shows that a higher fraction of metallic Cu nanograins leads to higher C2+ selectivity. A 7 nm Cu nanoparticle ensemble, with a unity fraction of active Cu nanograins, exhibits sixfold higher C2+ selectivity than the 18 nm counterpart with one-third of active Cu nanograins. The correlation of multimodal operando techniques serves as a powerful platform to advance our fundamental understanding of the complex structural evolution of nanocatalysts under electrochemical conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sheena Louisia
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Sunmoon Yu
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jianbo Jin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Inwhan Roh
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Chubai Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Maria V Fonseca Guzman
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Julian Feijóo
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Peng-Cheng Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.,Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Hongsen Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | | | - Xin Huang
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Yu-Tsun Shao
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Cheng Wang
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - David A Muller
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.,Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Héctor D Abruña
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.,Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Peidong Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. .,Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA. .,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA. .,Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute, Berkeley, CA, USA.
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11
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Lei X, Zhao J, Wang J, Su D. Tracking lithiation with transmission electron microscopy. Sci China Chem 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s11426-022-1486-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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12
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Xu X, Valavanis D, Ciocci P, Confederat S, Marcuccio F, Lemineur JF, Actis P, Kanoufi F, Unwin PR. The New Era of High-Throughput Nanoelectrochemistry. Anal Chem 2023; 95:319-356. [PMID: 36625121 PMCID: PMC9835065 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c05105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangdong Xu
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | | | - Paolo Ciocci
- Université
Paris Cité, ITODYS, CNRS, F-75013 Paris, France
| | - Samuel Confederat
- School
of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Pollard Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.,Bragg
Centre for Materials Research, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.
| | - Fabio Marcuccio
- School
of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Pollard Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.,Bragg
Centre for Materials Research, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.,Faculty
of Medicine, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, United Kingdom
| | | | - Paolo Actis
- School
of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Pollard Institute, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.,Bragg
Centre for Materials Research, University
of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K.,
| | | | - Patrick R. Unwin
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.,
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13
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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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14
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O'Neill JS, Kearney L, Brandon MP, Pryce MT. Design components of porphyrin-based photocatalytic hydrogen evolution systems: A review. Coord Chem Rev 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ccr.2022.214599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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15
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Yang Y, Shao YT, Lu X, Yang Y, Ko HY, DiStasio RA, DiSalvo FJ, Muller DA, Abruña HD. Elucidating Cathodic Corrosion Mechanisms with Operando Electrochemical Transmission Electron Microscopy. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:15698-15708. [PMID: 35976815 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c05989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cathodic corrosion represents an enigmatic electrochemical process in which metallic electrodes corrode under sufficiently reducing potentials. Although discovered by Fritz Haber in the 19th century, only recently has progress been made in beginning to understand the atomistic mechanisms of corroding bulk electrodes. The creation of nanoparticles as the end-product of the corrosion process suggests an additional length scale of complexity. Here, we studied the dynamic evolution of morphology, composition, and crystallographic structural information of nanocrystal corrosion products by analytical and four-dimensional electrochemical liquid-cell scanning transmission electron microscopy (EC-STEM). Our operando/in situ electron microscopy revealed, in real-time, at the nanometer scale, that cathodic corrosion yields significantly higher levels of structural degradation for heterogeneous nanocrystals than bulk electrodes. In particular, the cathodic corrosion of Au nanocubes on bulk Pt electrodes led to the unexpected formation of thermodynamically immiscible Au-Pt alloy nanoparticles. The highly kinetically driven corrosion process is evidenced by the successive anisotropic transition from stable Pt(111) bulk single-crystal surfaces evolving to energetically less-stable (100) and (110) steps. The motifs identified in this microscopy study of cathodic corrosion of nanocrystals are likely to underlie the structural evolution of nanoscale electrocatalysts during many electrochemical reactions under highly reducing potentials, such as CO2 and N2 reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Yu-Tsun Shao
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Xinyao Lu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Hsin-Yu Ko
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Robert A DiStasio
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Francis J DiSalvo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - David A Muller
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Héctor D Abruña
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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16
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Yang Y, Roh I, Louisia S, Chen C, Jin J, Yu S, Salmeron MB, Wang C, Yang P. Operando Resonant Soft X-ray Scattering Studies of Chemical Environment and Interparticle Dynamics of Cu Nanocatalysts for CO 2 Electroreduction. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:8927-8931. [PMID: 35575474 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c03662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the chemical environment and interparticle dynamics of nanoparticle electrocatalysts under operating conditions offers valuable insights into tuning their activity and selectivity. This is particularly important to the design of Cu nanocatalysts for CO2 electroreduction due to their dynamic nature under bias. Here, we have developed operando electrochemical resonant soft X-ray scattering (EC-RSoXS) to probe the chemical identity of active sites during the dynamic structural transformation of Cu nanoparticle (NP) ensembles through 1 μm thick electrolyte. Operando scattering-enhanced X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) serves as a powerful technique to investigate the size-dependent catalyst stability under beam exposure while monitoring the potential-dependent surface structural changes. Small NPs (7 nm) in aqueous electrolyte were found to experience a predominant soft X-ray beam-induced oxidation to CuO despite only sub-second X-ray exposure. In comparison, large NPs (18 nm) showed improved resistivity to beam damage, which allowed the reliable observation of surface Cu2O electroreduction to metallic Cu. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) statistically probes the particle-particle interactions of large ensembles of NPs. This study points out the need for rigorous examination of beam effects for operando X-ray studies on electrocatalysts. The strategy of using EC-RSoXS that combines soft XAS and SAXS can serve as a general approach to simultaneously investigate the chemical environment and interparticle information on nanocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Inwhan Roh
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Sheena Louisia
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Chubai Chen
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jianbo Jin
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Sunmoon Yu
- Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Miquel B Salmeron
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Cheng Wang
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Peidong Yang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Chemical Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States.,Kavli Energy NanoScience Institute, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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17
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Yang Y, Peltier CR, Zeng R, Schimmenti R, Li Q, Huang X, Yan Z, Potsi G, Selhorst R, Lu X, Xu W, Tader M, Soudackov AV, Zhang H, Krumov M, Murray E, Xu P, Hitt J, Xu L, Ko HY, Ernst BG, Bundschu C, Luo A, Markovich D, Hu M, He C, Wang H, Fang J, DiStasio RA, Kourkoutis LF, Singer A, Noonan KJT, Xiao L, Zhuang L, Pivovar BS, Zelenay P, Herrero E, Feliu JM, Suntivich J, Giannelis EP, Hammes-Schiffer S, Arias T, Mavrikakis M, Mallouk TE, Brock JD, Muller DA, DiSalvo FJ, Coates GW, Abruña HD. Electrocatalysis in Alkaline Media and Alkaline Membrane-Based Energy Technologies. Chem Rev 2022; 122:6117-6321. [PMID: 35133808 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Hydrogen energy-based electrochemical energy conversion technologies offer the promise of enabling a transition of the global energy landscape from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the fundamentals of electrocatalysis in alkaline media and applications in alkaline-based energy technologies, particularly alkaline fuel cells and water electrolyzers. Anion exchange (alkaline) membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) enable the use of nonprecious electrocatalysts for the sluggish oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), relative to proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), which require Pt-based electrocatalysts. However, the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) kinetics is significantly slower in alkaline media than in acidic media. Understanding these phenomena requires applying theoretical and experimental methods to unravel molecular-level thermodynamics and kinetics of hydrogen and oxygen electrocatalysis and, particularly, the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) process that takes place in a proton-deficient alkaline media. Extensive electrochemical and spectroscopic studies, on single-crystal Pt and metal oxides, have contributed to the development of activity descriptors, as well as the identification of the nature of active sites, and the rate-determining steps of the HOR and ORR. Among these, the structure and reactivity of interfacial water serve as key potential and pH-dependent kinetic factors that are helping elucidate the origins of the HOR and ORR activity differences in acids and bases. Additionally, deliberately modulating and controlling catalyst-support interactions have provided valuable insights for enhancing catalyst accessibility and durability during operation. The design and synthesis of highly conductive and durable alkaline membranes/ionomers have enabled AEMFCs to reach initial performance metrics equal to or higher than those of PEMFCs. We emphasize the importance of using membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) to integrate the often separately pursued/optimized electrocatalyst/support and membranes/ionomer components. Operando/in situ methods, at multiscales, and ab initio simulations provide a mechanistic understanding of electron, ion, and mass transport at catalyst/ionomer/membrane interfaces and the necessary guidance to achieve fuel cell operation in air over thousands of hours. We hope that this Review will serve as a roadmap for advancing the scientific understanding of the fundamental factors governing electrochemical energy conversion in alkaline media with the ultimate goal of achieving ultralow Pt or precious-metal-free high-performance and durable alkaline fuel cells and related technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Cheyenne R Peltier
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Rui Zeng
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Roberto Schimmenti
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Qihao Li
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xin Huang
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Zhifei Yan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Georgia Potsi
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Ryan Selhorst
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Xinyao Lu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Weixuan Xu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Mariel Tader
- Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Alexander V Soudackov
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Hanguang Zhang
- Materials Physics and Applications Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Mihail Krumov
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Ellen Murray
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Pengtao Xu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Jeremy Hitt
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Linxi Xu
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Hsin-Yu Ko
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Brian G Ernst
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Colin Bundschu
- Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Aileen Luo
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Danielle Markovich
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Meixue Hu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Cheng He
- Chemical and Materials Science Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Hongsen Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Jiye Fang
- Department of Chemistry, State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, New York 13902, United States
| | - Robert A DiStasio
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Lena F Kourkoutis
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Andrej Singer
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Kevin J T Noonan
- Department of Chemistry, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Li Xiao
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Lin Zhuang
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Bryan S Pivovar
- Chemical and Materials Science Center, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Piotr Zelenay
- Materials Physics and Applications Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Enrique Herrero
- Instituto de Electroquímica, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante E-03080, Spain
| | - Juan M Feliu
- Instituto de Electroquímica, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante E-03080, Spain
| | - Jin Suntivich
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Emmanuel P Giannelis
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | | | - Tomás Arias
- Department of Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Manos Mavrikakis
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, United States
| | - Thomas E Mallouk
- Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Joel D Brock
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - David A Muller
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Francis J DiSalvo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Geoffrey W Coates
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Héctor D Abruña
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States.,Center for Alkaline Based Energy Solutions (CABES), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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18
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Wang R, Zhang H, Liu Q, Liu F, Han X, Liu X, Li K, Xiao G, Albert J, Lu X, Guo T. Operando monitoring of ion activities in aqueous batteries with plasmonic fiber-optic sensors. Nat Commun 2022; 13:547. [PMID: 35087063 PMCID: PMC8795113 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28267-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding ion transport kinetics and electrolyte-electrode interactions at electrode surfaces of batteries in operation is essential to determine their performance and state of health. However, it remains a challenging task to capture in real time the details of surface-localized and rapid ion transport at the microscale. To address this, a promising approach based on an optical fiber plasmonic sensor capable of being inserted near the electrode surface of a working battery to monitor its electrochemical kinetics without disturbing its operation is demonstrated using aqueous Zn-ion batteries as an example. The miniature and chemically inert sensor detects perturbations of surface plasmon waves propagating on its surface to rapidly screen localized electrochemical events on a sub-μm-scale thickness adjacent to the electrode interface. A stable and reproducible correlation between the real-time ion insertions over charge-discharge cycles and the optical plasmon response has been observed and quantified. This new operando measurement tool will provide crucial additional capabilities to battery monitoring methods and help guide the design of better batteries with improved electro-chemistries. Operando tracking the ion dynamics/states of battery is critical to understanding of electrolyte-electrode interactions. Here the authors propose to use the surface plasmon waves to rapidly screen localized electrochemical events on a sub-μm-scale thickness adjacent to the electrode interface, without perturbing battery operation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Runlin Wang
- Institute of Photonics Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, PR China
| | - Haozhe Zhang
- The Key Lab of Low-Carbon Chemistry & Energy Conservation of Guangdong Province, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
| | - Qiyu Liu
- The Key Lab of Low-Carbon Chemistry & Energy Conservation of Guangdong Province, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
| | - Fu Liu
- Department of Electronics, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Xile Han
- Institute of Photonics Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, PR China
| | - Xiaoqing Liu
- The Key Lab of Low-Carbon Chemistry & Energy Conservation of Guangdong Province, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
| | - Kaiwei Li
- Institute of Photonics Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, PR China
| | - Gaozhi Xiao
- Advanced Electronics and Photonics Research Center, National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0R6, Canada
| | - Jacques Albert
- Department of Electronics, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Xihong Lu
- The Key Lab of Low-Carbon Chemistry & Energy Conservation of Guangdong Province, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China.
| | - Tuan Guo
- Institute of Photonics Technology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, PR China. .,Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, 519000, China.
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19
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Zachman MJ, Yang Z, Du Y, Chi M. Robust Atomic-Resolution Imaging of Lithium in Battery Materials by Center-of-Mass Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy. ACS NANO 2022; 16:1358-1367. [PMID: 35000379 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c09374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The performance of energy storage materials is often governed by their structure at the atomic scale. Conventional electron microscopy can provide detailed information about materials at these length scales, but direct imaging of light elements such as lithium presents a challenge. While several recent techniques allow lithium columns to be distinguished, these typically either involve complex contrast mechanisms that make image interpretation difficult or require significant expertise to perform. Here, we demonstrate how center-of-mass scanning transmission electron microscopy (CoM-STEM) provides an enhanced ability for simultaneous imaging of lithium and heavier element columns in lithium ion conductors. Through a combination of experiments and multislice electron scattering calculations, we show that CoM-STEM is straightforward to perform and produces directly interpretable contrast for thin samples, while being more robust to variations in experimental parameters than previously demonstrated techniques. As a result, CoM-STEM is positioned to become a reliable and facile method for directly probing all elements within energy storage materials at the atomic scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Zachman
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
| | - Zhenzhong Yang
- Physical Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Yingge Du
- Physical Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99352, United States
| | - Miaofang Chi
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831, United States
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20
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Garcia A, Wang K, Bedier F, Benavides M, Wan Z, Wang S, Wang Y. Plasmonic Imaging of Electrochemical Reactions at Individual Prussian Blue Nanoparticles. Front Chem 2021; 9:718666. [PMID: 34552911 PMCID: PMC8450507 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2021.718666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Prussian blue is an iron-cyanide-based pigment steadily becoming a widely used electrochemical sensor in detecting hydrogen peroxide at low concentration levels. Prussian blue nanoparticles (PBNPs) have been extensively studied using traditional ensemble methods, which only provide averaged information. Investigating PBNPs at a single entity level is paramount for correlating the electrochemical activities to particle structures and will shed light on the major factors governing the catalyst activity of these nanoparticles. Here we report on using plasmonic electrochemical microscopy (PEM) to study the electrochemistry of PBNPs at the individual nanoparticle level. First, two types of PBNPs were synthesized; type I synthesized with double precursors method and type II synthesized with polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) assisted single precursor method. Second, both PBNPs types were compared on their electrochemical reduction to form Prussian white, and the effect from the different particle structures was investigated. Type I PBNPs provided better PEM sensitivity and were used to study the catalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide. Progressively decreasing plasmonic signals with respect to increasing hydrogen peroxide concentration were observed, demonstrating the capability of sensing hydrogen peroxide at a single nanoparticle level utilizing this optical imaging technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adaly Garcia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Kinsley Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Fatima Bedier
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Miriam Benavides
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Zijian Wan
- Biodesign Center for Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States.,School of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Shaopeng Wang
- Biodesign Center for Biosensors and Bioelectronics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States.,School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, United States
| | - Yixian Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, California State University, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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21
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Zhao G, Yao Y, Lu W, Liu G, Guo X, Tricoli A, Zhu Y. Direct Observation of Oxygen Evolution and Surface Restructuring on Mn 2O 3 Nanocatalysts Using In Situ and Ex Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:7012-7020. [PMID: 34369791 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c02378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Direct observation of oxygen evolution reaction (OER) on catalyst surface may significantly advance the mechanistic understanding of OER catalysis. Here, we report the first real-time nanoscale observation of chemical OER on Mn2O3 nanocatalyst surface using an in situ liquid holder in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The oxygen evolution process can be directly visualized from the development of oxygen nanobubbles around nanocatalysts. The high spatial and temporal resolution further enables us to unravel the real-time formation of a surface layer on Mn2O3, whose thickness oscillation reflects a partially reversible surface restructuring relevant to OER catalysis. Ex situ atomic-resolution TEM on the residual surface layer after OER reveals its amorphous nature with reduced Mn valence and oxygen coordination. Besides shedding light on the dynamic OER catalysis, our results also demonstrate a powerful strategy combining in situ and ex situ TEM for investigating various chemical reaction mechanisms in liquid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangming Zhao
- Department of Applied Physics, Research Institute for Smart Energy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yunduo Yao
- Department of Applied Physics, Research Institute for Smart Energy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wei Lu
- University Research Facility in Materials Characterization and Device Fabrication, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Guanyu Liu
- Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, Research School of Engineering, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601 Australia
- School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, 637459 Singapore
| | - Xuyun Guo
- Department of Applied Physics, Research Institute for Smart Energy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Antonio Tricoli
- Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
- Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, Research School of Chemistry, College of Science, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Ye Zhu
- Department of Applied Physics, Research Institute for Smart Energy, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
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22
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Liu Z, Cao Z, He J, Zhang H, Ge Y, Chen B. Versatile Printing of Substantial Liquid Cells for Efficiently Imaging In Situ Liquid-Phase Dynamics. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:6882-6890. [PMID: 34387492 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c01901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Through its ability to image liquid-phase dynamics at nano/atomic-scale resolution, liquid-cell electron microscopy is essential for a wide range of applications, including wet-chemical synthesis, catalysis, and nanoparticle tracking, for which involved structural features are critical. However, statistical investigations by usual techniques remain challenging because of the difficulty in fabricating substantial liquid cells with appreciable efficiency. Here, we report a general approach for efficiently printing huge numbers of ready-to-use liquid cells (∼9000) within 30 s by electrospinning, with the unique feature of statistical liquid-phase studies requiring only one experimental time slot. Our solution efficiently resolves a complete transition picture of bubble evolution and also the induced nanoparticle motion. We statistically quantify the effect of the electron dose rate on the bubble variation and conclude that the bubble-driven nanoparticle motion is a ballistic-like behavior insignificant to morphological asymmetries. The versatile approach here is critical for statistical research, offering great opportunities in liquid-phase-associated dynamic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwen Liu
- Center for Ultrafast Science and Technology, School of Physics and Astronomy, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Zetan Cao
- Center for Ultrafast Science and Technology, School of Physics and Astronomy, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Jia He
- Center for Ultrafast Science and Technology, School of Physics and Astronomy, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoran Zhang
- Center for Ultrafast Science and Technology, School of Physics and Astronomy, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Yujun Ge
- Center for Ultrafast Science and Technology, School of Physics and Astronomy, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Chen
- Center for Ultrafast Science and Technology, School of Physics and Astronomy, and School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, People's Republic of China
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23
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Serra-Maia R, Kumar P, Meng AC, Foucher AC, Kang Y, Karki K, Jariwala D, Stach EA. Nanoscale Chemical and Structural Analysis during In Situ Scanning/Transmission Electron Microscopy in Liquids. ACS NANO 2021; 15:10228-10240. [PMID: 34003639 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c02340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Liquid-cell scanning/transmission electron microscopy (S/TEM) has impacted our understanding of multiple areas of science, most notably nanostructure nucleation and growth and electrochemistry and corrosion. In the case of electrochemistry, the incorporation of electrodes requires the use of silicon nitride membranes to confine the liquid. The combined thickness of the liquid layer and the confining membranes prevents routine atomic-resolution characterization. Here, we show that by performing electrochemical water splitting in situ to generate a gas bubble, we can reduce the thickness of the liquid to a film approximately 30 nm thick that remains covering the sample. The reduced thickness of the liquid allows the acquisition of atomic-scale S/TEM images with chemical and valence analysis through electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and structural analysis through selected area electron diffraction (SAED). This contrasts with a specimen cell entirely filled with liquid, where the broad plasmon peak from the liquid obscures the EELS signal from the sample and induces beam incoherence that impedes SAED analysis. The gas bubble generation is fully reversible, which allows alternating between a full cell and thin-film condition to obtain optimal experimental and analytical conditions, respectively. The methodology developed here can be applied to other scientific techniques, such as X-ray scattering, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, allowing for a multi-modal, nanoscale understanding of solid-state samples in liquid media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Serra-Maia
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Pawan Kumar
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Andrew C Meng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Alexandre C Foucher
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Yijin Kang
- Institute for Sustainability and Energy, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Khim Karki
- Hummingbird Scientific, USA, Lacey, Washington 98516, United States
| | - Deep Jariwala
- Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
| | - Eric A Stach
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
- Laboratory for Research on the Structure of Matter, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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24
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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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25
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Gettler R, Young MJ. Multimodal cell with simultaneous electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance and in operando spectroscopic ellipsometry to understand thin film electrochemistry. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2021; 92:053902. [PMID: 34243232 DOI: 10.1063/5.0035309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
To inform the development of advanced electrodes for energy storage, water treatment, and catalysis, among other applications, we need to improve our understanding of how material structure evolves during electrochemical operation. Insight into the evolution of local atomic structure during electrochemical operation is accessible through a range of sophisticated in operando probes, but techniques for in operando observation of macroscale electrode phenomena (e.g., swelling, dissolution, and chemical degradation) are limited. This macroscale understanding is critical to establish a full picture of electrochemical material behavior. Here, we report a multimodal cell for simultaneous electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) and in operando spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE). This SE-EQCM cell allows for the measurement of mass, thickness, optical properties, and electrochemical properties together in one device. Using polyaniline (PANI) as a test case, we demonstrate the use of this SE-EQCM cell to rapidly measure known phenomena and reproduce a range of prior results during the electrodeposition, electrochemical cycling, and electrochemical degradation of PANI. In particular, the simultaneous mass and thickness measurement afforded by this cell allows us to distinguish known qualitative differences in the degradation of PANI under oxidative and reductive potentials. The SE-EQCM cell we report promises to reveal new insights into the electrochemical behavior of thin film materials for a range of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Gettler
- Department of Biomedical, Biological and Chemical Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65201, USA
| | - Matthias J Young
- Department of Biomedical, Biological and Chemical Engineering, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri 65201, USA
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26
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Sun M, Tian J, Chen Q. The studies on wet chemical etching via in situ liquid cell TEM. Ultramicroscopy 2021; 231:113271. [PMID: 33879369 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2021.113271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Wet chemical etching is a widely used process to fabricate fascinating nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles with precisely controlled size and shape. Understanding the etching mechanism and kinetic evolution process is crucial for controlling wet chemical etching. The development of in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (LCTEM) enables the study on wet chemical etching with high temporal and spatial resolutions. However, there still lack a detailed literature review on the wet chemical etching studies by in situ LCTEM. In this review, we summarize the studies on wet etching nanoparticles, one-dimensional nanomaterials and nanoribbons by in situ LCTEM, including etching rate, anisotropic etching, morphology evolution process, and etching mechanism. The challenges and opportunities of in situ LCTEM are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei Sun
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices and Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China; Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Jiamin Tian
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices and Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Qing Chen
- Key Laboratory for the Physics and Chemistry of Nanodevices and Department of Electronics, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China.
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27
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Lee J, Nicholls D, Browning ND, Mehdi BL. Controlling radiolysis chemistry on the nanoscale in liquid cell scanning transmission electron microscopy. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2021; 23:17766-17773. [PMID: 33729249 DOI: 10.1039/d0cp06369j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
When high-energy electrons from a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) are incident on a liquid, the vast majority of the chemical reactions that are observed are induced by the radiolysis breakdown of the liquid molecules. In the study of liquids, the radiolysis products of pure water are well known, and their rate of formation for a given flux of high-energy electrons has been studied intensively over the last few years for uniform TEM illumination. In this paper, we demonstrate that the temporal and spatial distribution of the electron illumination can significantly affect the final density of radiolysis products in water and even change the type of reaction taking place. We simulate the complex array of possible spatial/temporal distributions of electrons that are accessible experimentally by controlling the size, the scan rate and the hopping distance of the electron probe in STEM mode and then compare the results to the uniformly illuminated TEM mode of imaging. By distributing the electron dose both spatially and temporally in the STEM through a randomised "spot-scan" mode of imaging, the diffusion overlap of the radiolysis products can be reduced, and the resulting reactions can be more readily controlled. This control allows the resolution of the images to be separated from the speed of the induced reaction (which is based on beam current alone) and this facet of the experiment will allow a wide range of chemical reactions to be uniquely tailored and observed in all liquid cell STEM experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juhan Lee
- Department of Mechanical, Materials and Aerospace Engineering and Department of Physics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 3GH, UK.
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28
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Chee SW, Lunkenbein T, Schlögl R, Cuenya BR. In situand operandoelectron microscopy in heterogeneous catalysis-insights into multi-scale chemical dynamics. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2021; 33:153001. [PMID: 33825698 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/abddfd] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
This review features state-of-the-artin situandoperandoelectron microscopy (EM) studies of heterogeneous catalysts in gas and liquid environments during reaction. Heterogeneous catalysts are important materials for the efficient production of chemicals/fuels on an industrial scale and for energy conversion applications. They also play a central role in various emerging technologies that are needed to ensure a sustainable future for our society. Currently, the rational design of catalysts has largely been hampered by our lack of insight into the working structures that exist during reaction and their associated properties. However, elucidating the working state of catalysts is not trivial, because catalysts are metastable functional materials that adapt dynamically to a specific reaction condition. The structural or morphological alterations induced by chemical reactions can also vary locally. A complete description of their morphologies requires that the microscopic studies undertaken span several length scales. EMs, especially transmission electron microscopes, are powerful tools for studying the structure of catalysts at the nanoscale because of their high spatial resolution, relatively high temporal resolution, and complementary capabilities for chemical analysis. Furthermore, recent advances have enabled the direct observation of catalysts under realistic environmental conditions using specialized reaction cells. Here, we will critically discuss the importance of spatially-resolvedoperandomeasurements and the available experimental setups that enable (1) correlated studies where EM observations are complemented by separate measurements of reaction kinetics or spectroscopic analysis of chemical species during reaction or (2) real-time studies where the dynamics of catalysts are followed with EM and the catalytic performance is extracted directly from the reaction cell that is within the EM column or chamber. Examples of current research in this field will be presented. Challenges in the experimental application of these techniques and our perspectives on the field's future directions will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- See Wee Chee
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Thomas Lunkenbein
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert Schlögl
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Department of Heterogeneous Reactions, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion, 45413 Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany
| | - Beatriz Roldan Cuenya
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, 14195 Berlin, Germany
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29
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Yoon A, Herzog A, Grosse P, Alsem DH, Chee SW, Roldán Cuenya B. Dynamic Imaging of Nanostructures in an Electrolyte with a Scanning Electron Microscope. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2021; 27:121-128. [PMID: 33403947 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927620024769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The development of microfabricated liquid cells has enabled dynamic studies of nanostructures within a liquid environment with electron microscopy. While such setups are most commonly found in transmission electron microscope (TEM) holders, their implementation in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) offers intriguing potential for multi-modal studies where the large chamber volume allows for the integration of multiple detectors. Here, we describe an electrochemical liquid cell SEM platform that employs the same cells enclosed by silicon nitride membrane windows found in liquid cell TEM holders and demonstrate the imaging of copper oxide nanoparticles in solution using both backscattered and transmitted electrons. In particular, the transmitted electron images collected at high scattering angles show contrast inversion at liquid layer thicknesses of several hundred nanometers, which can be used to determine the presence of liquid in the cell, while maintaining enough resolution to image nanoparticles that are tens of nanometers in size. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we show that both imaging modes have their advantages for liquid phase imaging and rationalize the contrast inversion observed in the transmitted electron image.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aram Yoon
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of the Max-Planck Society, Berlin, Germany
| | - Antonia Herzog
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of the Max-Planck Society, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Grosse
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of the Max-Planck Society, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - See Wee Chee
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of the Max-Planck Society, Berlin, Germany
| | - Beatriz Roldán Cuenya
- Department of Interface Science, Fritz-Haber-Institute of the Max-Planck Society, Berlin, Germany
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30
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Yang Y, Xiong Y, Zeng R, Lu X, Krumov M, Huang X, Xu W, Wang H, DiSalvo FJ, Brock JD, Muller DA, Abruña HD. Operando Methods in Electrocatalysis. ACS Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c04789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Yao Yang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Yin Xiong
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Rui Zeng
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Xinyao Lu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Mihail Krumov
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Xin Huang
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Weixuan Xu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Hongsen Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Francis J. DiSalvo
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Joel. D. Brock
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
- Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - David A. Muller
- School of Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
- Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Héctor D. Abruña
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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31
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Gosse C, Stanescu S, Frederick J, Lefrançois S, Vecchiola A, Moskura M, Swaraj S, Belkhou R, Watts B, Haltebourg P, Blot C, Daillant J, Guenoun P, Chevallard C. A pressure-actuated flow cell for soft X-ray spectromicroscopy in liquid media. LAB ON A CHIP 2020; 20:3213-3229. [PMID: 32735308 DOI: 10.1039/c9lc01127g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We present and fully characterize a flow cell dedicated to imaging in liquid at the nanoscale. Its use as a routine sample environment for soft X-ray spectromicroscopy is demonstrated, in particular through the spectral analysis of inorganic particles in water. The care taken in delineating the fluidic pathways and the precision associated with pressure actuation ensure the efficiency of fluid renewal under the beam, which in turn guarantees a successful utilization of this microfluidic tool for in situ kinetic studies. The assembly of the described flow cell necessitates no sophisticated microfabrication and can be easily implemented in any laboratory. Furthermore, the design principles we relied on are transposable to all microscopies involving strongly absorbed radiation (e.g. X-ray, electron), as well as to all kinds of X-ray diffraction/scattering techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlie Gosse
- Laboratoire de Photonique et de Nanostructures, LPN-CNRS, Route de Nozay, 91460 Marcoussis, France.
| | - Stefan Stanescu
- Synchrotron Soleil, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin - BP 48, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Joni Frederick
- Laboratoire de Photonique et de Nanostructures, LPN-CNRS, Route de Nozay, 91460 Marcoussis, France. and Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Stéphane Lefrançois
- Synchrotron Soleil, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin - BP 48, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Aymeric Vecchiola
- Laboratoire de Photonique et de Nanostructures, LPN-CNRS, Route de Nozay, 91460 Marcoussis, France. and Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Mélanie Moskura
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Sufal Swaraj
- Synchrotron Soleil, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin - BP 48, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Rachid Belkhou
- Synchrotron Soleil, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin - BP 48, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France
| | - Benjamin Watts
- Photon Science Division, Paul Scherrer Institute, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Patrick Haltebourg
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Christian Blot
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Jean Daillant
- Synchrotron Soleil, L'Orme des Merisiers, Saint-Aubin - BP 48, 91192 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France and Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Patrick Guenoun
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Corinne Chevallard
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, 91191, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
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32
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Dunn G, Adiga VP, Pham T, Bryant C, Horton-Bailey DJ, Belling JN, LaFrance B, Jackson JA, Barzegar HR, Yuk JM, Aloni S, Crommie MF, Zettl A. Graphene-Sealed Flow Cells for In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy of Liquid Samples. ACS NANO 2020; 14:9637-9643. [PMID: 32806056 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c00431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
We introduce a graphene-based nanofluidic cell that facilitates in situ imaging of liquid samples via transmission electron microscopy. The cell combines the benefits of graphene liquid cells-namely, high resolution, reduced charging effects, and excellent sample stability-with the ability to introduce reactants and control fluid concentrations as provided by conventional silicon-nitride-windowed flow cells. The graphene flow cell offers significantly less window bowing compared to existing commercial holders. We demonstrate the performance of the flow cell by imaging gold nanoparticle dynamics and uranyl acetate crystallization. Our results confirm the utility of graphene flow cells in obtaining the high spatial and temporal resolution required for probing the complex dynamics of nanoparticles and nucleation pathways in aqueous solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Dunn
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Vivekananda P Adiga
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Thang Pham
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Christopher Bryant
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Donez J Horton-Bailey
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jason N Belling
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Ben LaFrance
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jonathan A Jackson
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Hamid Reza Barzegar
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Jong Min Yuk
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Shaul Aloni
- The Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Michael F Crommie
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Alex Zettl
- Department of Physics, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Materials Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute at the University of California at Berkeley and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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33
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Xu Z, Jiang Z, Kuai C, Xu R, Qin C, Zhang Y, Rahman MM, Wei C, Nordlund D, Sun CJ, Xiao X, Du XW, Zhao K, Yan P, Liu Y, Lin F. Charge distribution guided by grain crystallographic orientations in polycrystalline battery materials. Nat Commun 2020; 11:83. [PMID: 31913275 PMCID: PMC6949258 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-13884-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Architecting grain crystallographic orientation can modulate charge distribution and chemomechanical properties for enhancing the performance of polycrystalline battery materials. However, probing the interplay between charge distribution, grain crystallographic orientation, and performance remains a daunting challenge. Herein, we elucidate the spatially resolved charge distribution in lithium layered oxides with different grain crystallographic arrangements and establish a model to quantify their charge distributions. While the holistic “surface-to-bulk” charge distribution prevails in polycrystalline particles, the crystallographic orientation-guided redox reaction governs the charge distribution in the local charged nanodomains. Compared to the randomly oriented grains, the radially aligned grains exhibit a lower cell polarization and higher capacity retention upon battery cycling. The radially aligned grains create less tortuous lithium ion pathways, thus improving the charge homogeneity as statistically quantified from over 20 million nanodomains in polycrystalline particles. This study provides an improved understanding of the charge distribution and chemomechanical properties of polycrystalline battery materials. The authors here report on the influence of grain orientation on the charge distribution in polycrystalline materials for batteries. The quantitative characterization provides mechanistic insight into the way the grain orientation can be engineered to mitigate the charge heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengrui Xu
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA
| | - Zhisen Jiang
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Chunguang Kuai
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.,Institute of New-Energy Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Rong Xu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Changdong Qin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microstructure and Properties of Solids, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA.,Institute of New-Energy Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | | | - Chenxi Wei
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Dennis Nordlund
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA
| | - Cheng-Jun Sun
- Advanced Photon Source, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL, 60439, USA
| | - Xianghui Xiao
- National Synchrotron Light Source II, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 11973, USA
| | - Xi-Wen Du
- Institute of New-Energy Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Kejie Zhao
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA
| | - Pengfei Yan
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Microstructure and Properties of Solids, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China
| | - Yijin Liu
- Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Lightsource, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, 94025, USA.
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA.
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Pu S, Gong C, Robertson AW. Liquid cell transmission electron microscopy and its applications. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2020; 7:191204. [PMID: 32218950 PMCID: PMC7029903 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.191204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has long been an essential tool for understanding the structure of materials. Over the past couple of decades, this venerable technique has undergone a number of revolutions, such as the development of aberration correction for atomic level imaging, the realization of cryogenic TEM for imaging biological specimens, and new instrumentation permitting the observation of dynamic systems in situ. Research in the latter has rapidly accelerated in recent years, based on a silicon-chip architecture that permits a versatile array of experiments to be performed under the high vacuum of the TEM. Of particular interest is using these silicon chips to enclose fluids safely inside the TEM, allowing us to observe liquid dynamics at the nanoscale. In situ imaging of liquid phase reactions under TEM can greatly enhance our understanding of fundamental processes in fields from electrochemistry to cell biology. Here, we review how in situ TEM experiments of liquids can be performed, with a particular focus on microchip-encapsulated liquid cell TEM. We will cover the basics of the technique, and its strengths and weaknesses with respect to related in situ TEM methods for characterizing liquid systems. We will show how this technique has provided unique insights into nanomaterial synthesis and manipulation, battery science and biological cells. A discussion on the main challenges of the technique, and potential means to mitigate and overcome them, will also be presented.
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Girod R, Nianias N, Tileli V. Electrochemical Behavior of Carbon Electrodes for In Situ Redox Studies in a Transmission Electron Microscope. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2019; 25:1304-1310. [PMID: 31647046 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927619015034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a unique technique for probing nanocatalyst behavior during operation for a range of different electrocatalytic processes, including hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), or electrochemical CO2 reduction (eCO2R). A major challenge to the technique's applicability to these systems has to do with the choice of substrate, which requires a wide inert potential range for quantitative electrochemistry, and is also responsible for minimizing background gas generation in the confined microscale environment. Here, we report on the feasibility of electrochemical experiments using the standard redox couple Fe(CN)63-/4- and microchips featuring carbon-coated electrodes. We electrochemically assess the in situ performance with respect to flow rate, liquid volume, and scan rate. Equally important with the choice of working substrate is the choice of the reference electrode. We demonstrate that the use of a modified electrode setup allows for potential measurements relatable to bulk studies. Furthermore, we use this setup to demonstrate the inert potential range for carbon-coated electrodes in aqueous electrolytes for HER, OER, ORR, and eCO2R. This work provides a basis for understanding electrochemical measurements in similar microscale systems and for studying gas-generating reactions with liquid electrochemical TEM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Girod
- Institute of Materials, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Nikolaos Nianias
- Institute of Materials, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
| | - Vasiliki Tileli
- Institute of Materials, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Lausanne CH-1015, Switzerland
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36
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Bharda AV, Jung HS. Liquid electron microscopy: then, now and future. Appl Microsc 2019; 49:9. [PMID: 33580443 PMCID: PMC7809579 DOI: 10.1186/s42649-019-0011-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Contemporary microscopic imaging at near-atomic resolution of diverse embodiments in liquid environment has gained keen interest. In particular, Electron Microscopy (EM) can provide comprehensive framework on the structural and functional characterization of samples in liquid phase. In the past few decades, liquid based electron microscopic modalities have developed tremendously to provide insights into various backgrounds like biological, chemical, nanoparticle and material researches. It serves to be a promising analytical tool in deciphering unique insights from solvated systems. Here, the basics of liquid electron microscopy with few examples of its applications are summarized in brief. The technical developments made so far and its preference over other approaches is shortly presented. Finally, the experimental limitations and an outlook on the future technical advancement for liquid EM have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahita Vispi Bharda
- Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, 24341, South Korea
| | - Hyun Suk Jung
- Division of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, 24341, South Korea.
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37
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Zachman MJ, Hachtel JA, Idrobo JC, Chi M. Emerging Electron Microscopy Techniques for Probing Functional Interfaces in Energy Materials. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201902993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Zachman
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831 USA
| | - Jordan A. Hachtel
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831 USA
| | - Juan Carlos Idrobo
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831 USA
| | - Miaofang Chi
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences Oak Ridge National Laboratory Oak Ridge TN 37831 USA
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Zachman MJ, Hachtel JA, Idrobo JC, Chi M. Emerging Electron Microscopy Techniques for Probing Functional Interfaces in Energy Materials. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2019; 59:1384-1396. [PMID: 31081976 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201902993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2019] [Revised: 05/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Interfaces play a fundamental role in many areas of chemistry. However, their localized nature requires characterization techniques with high spatial resolution in order to fully understand their structure and properties. State-of-the-art atomic resolution or in situ scanning transmission electron microscopy and electron energy-loss spectroscopy are indispensable tools for characterizing the local structure and chemistry of materials with single-atom resolution, but they are not able to measure many properties that dictate function, such as vibrational modes or charge transfer, and are limited to room-temperature samples containing no liquids. Here, we outline emerging electron microscopy techniques that are allowing these limitations to be overcome and highlight several recent studies that were enabled by these techniques. We then provide a vision for how these techniques can be paired with each other and with in situ methods to deliver new insights into the static and dynamic behavior of functional interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Zachman
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Jordan A Hachtel
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Juan Carlos Idrobo
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
| | - Miaofang Chi
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA
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Nagashima S, Ikai T, Sasaki Y, Kawasaki T, Hatanaka T, Kato H, Kishita K. Atomic-Level Observation of Electrochemical Platinum Dissolution and Redeposition. NANO LETTERS 2019; 19:7000-7005. [PMID: 31524402 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.9b02382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
An understanding of electrochemical dynamics at solid-liquid interfaces is essential to develop advanced batteries and fuel cells and so on. For example, an atomic-level understanding of electrochemical Pt dissolution and redeposition behavior is crucial for optimizing the material design and operating conditions of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs). This understanding enables the prevention of the degradation of Pt nanoparticles used as electrocatalysts. However, the mechanisms of Pt dissolution and redeposition are still not fully understood due to the lack of spatial resolution available with current observation techniques. Here, we have revealed for the first time atomic-level electrochemical Pt dissolution and redeposition behavior using in-house-developed observation techniques. We achieved atomic-level observations of closed-cell type liquid electrochemical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) by combining in-house-developed microelectromechanical system (MEMS) chips as an electrochemical cell, an aberration-corrected TEM apparatus, and an energy filter. Furthermore, accurate and stable potential control was achieved using an in-house-developed reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) with a liquid junction connected to the outside of a TEM specimen holder. Our observation results confirmed that Pt dissolves from surface step edges layer-by-layer, as previously predicted by the density functional theory (DFT). The observation techniques developed are also applicable to other research fields concerning electrochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Nagashima
- Material Creation & Analysis Department , Toyota Motor Corporation , Toyota 471-8572 , Japan
- Advanced Technology , Toyota Motor Europe , Zaventem 1930 , Belgium
| | - Toshihiro Ikai
- Catalyst Design Department , Toyota Motor Corporation , Toyota 471-8572 , Japan
| | - Yuki Sasaki
- Nanostructures Research Laboratory , Japan Fine Ceramics Center , Nagoya 456-8587 , Japan
| | - Tadahiro Kawasaki
- Nanostructures Research Laboratory , Japan Fine Ceramics Center , Nagoya 456-8587 , Japan
| | - Tatsuya Hatanaka
- Sustainable Energy & Environment Department , Toyota Central R&D Laboratories, Inc. , Nagakute 480-1192 , Japan
| | - Hisao Kato
- Advanced Material Engineering Division , Toyota Motor Corporation , Susono 410-1193 , Japan
| | - Keisuke Kishita
- Material Creation & Analysis Department , Toyota Motor Corporation , Toyota 471-8572 , Japan
- Advanced Technology , Toyota Motor Europe , Zaventem 1930 , Belgium
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Kalinin SV, Dyck O, Balke N, Neumayer S, Tsai WY, Vasudevan R, Lingerfelt D, Ahmadi M, Ziatdinov M, McDowell MT, Strelcov E. Toward Electrochemical Studies on the Nanometer and Atomic Scales: Progress, Challenges, and Opportunities. ACS NANO 2019; 13:9735-9780. [PMID: 31433942 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b02687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical reactions and ionic transport underpin the operation of a broad range of devices and applications, from energy storage and conversion to information technologies, as well as biochemical processes, artificial muscles, and soft actuators. Understanding the mechanisms governing function of these applications requires probing local electrochemical phenomena on the relevant time and length scales. Here, we discuss the challenges and opportunities for extending electrochemical characterization probes to the nanometer and ultimately atomic scales, including challenges in down-scaling classical methods, the emergence of novel probes enabled by nanotechnology and based on emergent physics and chemistry of nanoscale systems, and the integration of local data into macroscopic models. Scanning probe microscopy (SPM) methods based on strain detection, potential detection, and hysteretic current measurements are discussed. We further compare SPM to electron beam probes and discuss the applicability of electron beam methods to probe local electrochemical behavior on the mesoscopic and atomic levels. Similar to a SPM tip, the electron beam can be used both for observing behavior and as an active electrode to induce reactions. We briefly discuss new challenges and opportunities for conducting fundamental scientific studies, matter patterning, and atomic manipulation arising in this context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergei V Kalinin
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
| | - Ondrej Dyck
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
| | - Nina Balke
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
| | - Sabine Neumayer
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
| | - Wan-Yu Tsai
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
| | - Rama Vasudevan
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
| | - David Lingerfelt
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
| | - Mahshid Ahmadi
- Joint Institute for Advanced Materials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering , University of Tennessee , Knoxville , Tennessee 37996 , United States
| | - Maxim Ziatdinov
- Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences , Oak Ridge National Laboratory , Oak Ridge , Tennessee 37831 , United States
| | - Matthew T McDowell
- George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering and School of Materials Science and Engineering , Georgia Institute of Technology , Atlanta , Georgia 30332 , United States
| | - Evgheni Strelcov
- Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics , University of Maryland , College Park , Maryland 20742 , United States
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41
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Hadermann J, Abakumov AM. Structure solution and refinement of metal-ion battery cathode materials using electron diffraction tomography. ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION B-STRUCTURAL SCIENCE CRYSTAL ENGINEERING AND MATERIALS 2019; 75:485-494. [DOI: 10.1107/s2052520619008291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The applicability of electron diffraction tomography to the structure solution and refinement of charged, discharged or cycled metal-ion battery positive electrode (cathode) materials is discussed in detail. As these materials are often only available in very small amounts as powders, the possibility of obtaining single-crystal data using electron diffraction tomography (EDT) provides unique access to crucial information complementary to X-ray diffraction, neutron diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy techniques. Using several examples, the ability of EDT to be used to detect lithium and refine its atomic position and occupancy, to solve the structure of materials ex situ at different states of charge and to obtain in situ data on structural changes occurring upon electrochemical cycling in liquid electrolyte is discussed.
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42
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Fan Z, Zhang L, Baumann D, Mei L, Yao Y, Duan X, Shi Y, Huang J, Huang Y, Duan X. In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy for Energy Materials and Devices. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1900608. [PMID: 31183914 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201900608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2019] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Energy devices such as rechargeable batteries, fuel cells, and solar cells are central to powering a renewable, mobile, and electrified future. To advance these devices requires a fundamental understanding of the complex chemical reactions, material transformations, and charge flow that are associated with energy conversion processes. Analytical in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) offers a powerful tool for directly visualizing these complex processes at the atomic scale in real time and in operando. Recent advancements in energy materials and devices that have been enabled by in situ TEM are reviewed. First, the evolutionary development of TEM nanocells from the open-cell configuration to the closed-cell, and finally the full-cell, is reviewed. Next, in situ TEM studies of rechargeable ion batteries in a practical operation environment are explored, followed by applications of in situ TEM for direct observation of electrocatalyst formation, evolution, and degradation in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells, and fundamental investigations of new energy materials such as perovskites for solar cells. Finally, recent advances in the use of environmental TEM and cryogenic electron microscopy in probing clean-energy materials are presented and emerging opportunities and challenges in in situ TEM research of energy materials and devices are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Fan
- Engineering Technology Research Center for 2D Material Information Function Devices and Systems of Guangdong Province, International Collaborative Laboratory of 2D Materials for Optoelectronic Science & Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- Department of Engineering Technology, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Liqiang Zhang
- Clean Nano Energy Center, State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, 066004, P. R. China
| | - Daniel Baumann
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Lin Mei
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
- State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - Yuxing Yao
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100082, P. R. China
| | - Xidong Duan
- State Key Laboratory for Chemo/Biosensing and Chemometrics, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, P. R. China
| | - Yumeng Shi
- Engineering Technology Research Center for 2D Material Information Function Devices and Systems of Guangdong Province, International Collaborative Laboratory of 2D Materials for Optoelectronic Science & Technology of Ministry of Education, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, P. R. China
| | - Jianyu Huang
- Clean Nano Energy Center, State Key Laboratory of Metastable Materials Science and Technology, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao, 066004, P. R. China
| | - Yu Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
| | - Xiangfeng Duan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA
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Liu D, Shadike Z, Lin R, Qian K, Li H, Li K, Wang S, Yu Q, Liu M, Ganapathy S, Qin X, Yang QH, Wagemaker M, Kang F, Yang XQ, Li B. Review of Recent Development of In Situ/Operando Characterization Techniques for Lithium Battery Research. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1806620. [PMID: 31099081 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201806620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2018] [Revised: 02/09/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The increasing demands of energy storage require the significant improvement of current Li-ion battery electrode materials and the development of advanced electrode materials. Thus, it is necessary to gain an in-depth understanding of the reaction processes, degradation mechanism, and thermal decomposition mechanisms under realistic operation conditions. This understanding can be obtained by in situ/operando characterization techniques, which provide information on the structure evolution, redox mechanism, solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, side reactions, and Li-ion transport properties under operating conditions. Here, the recent developments in the in situ/operando techniques employed for the investigation of the structural stability, dynamic properties, chemical environment changes, and morphological evolution are described and summarized. The experimental approaches reviewed here include X-ray, electron, neutron, optical, and scanning probes. The experimental methods and operating principles, especially the in situ cell designs, are described in detail. Representative studies of the in situ/operando techniques are summarized, and finally the major current challenges and future opportunities are discussed. Several important battery challenges are likely to benefit from these in situ/operando techniques, including the inhomogeneous reactions of high-energy-density cathodes, the development of safe and reversible Li metal plating, and the development of stable SEI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongqing Liu
- Engineering Laboratory for the Next Generation Power and Energy Storage Batteries, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Zulipiya Shadike
- Chemistry Division, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 11973, USA
| | - Ruoqian Lin
- Chemistry Division, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 11973, USA
| | - Kun Qian
- Engineering Laboratory for the Next Generation Power and Energy Storage Batteries, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Nano Energy Materials Laboratory (NEM), Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Hai Li
- Engineering Laboratory for the Next Generation Power and Energy Storage Batteries, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Kaikai Li
- Interdisciplinary Division of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
| | - Shuwei Wang
- Engineering Laboratory for the Next Generation Power and Energy Storage Batteries, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Qipeng Yu
- Engineering Laboratory for the Next Generation Power and Energy Storage Batteries, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Ming Liu
- Department of Radiation Science and Technology Delft University of Technology Mekelweg 15, Delft, 2629JB, The Netherlands
| | - Swapna Ganapathy
- Department of Radiation Science and Technology Delft University of Technology Mekelweg 15, Delft, 2629JB, The Netherlands
| | - Xianying Qin
- Engineering Laboratory for the Next Generation Power and Energy Storage Batteries, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Quan-Hong Yang
- Nanoyang Group, State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin, 300072, China
| | - Marnix Wagemaker
- Department of Radiation Science and Technology Delft University of Technology Mekelweg 15, Delft, 2629JB, The Netherlands
| | - Feiyu Kang
- Engineering Laboratory for the Next Generation Power and Energy Storage Batteries, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Nano Energy Materials Laboratory (NEM), Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute (TBSI), Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xiao-Qing Yang
- Chemistry Division, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, 11973, USA
| | - Baohua Li
- Engineering Laboratory for the Next Generation Power and Energy Storage Batteries, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Materials and Devices Testing Center, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University and Shenzhen Geim Graphene Center, Shenzhen, 518055, China
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44
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Wu X, Li S, Yang B, Wang C. In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy Studies of Electrochemical Reaction Mechanisms in Rechargeable Batteries. ELECTROCHEM ENERGY R 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s41918-019-00046-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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45
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Han B, Chen S, Zou J, Shao R, Dou Z, Yang C, Ma X, Lu J, Liu K, Yu D, Wang L, Wang H, Gao P. Tracking sodium migration in TiS 2 using in situ TEM. NANOSCALE 2019; 11:7474-7480. [PMID: 30942225 DOI: 10.1039/c9nr00483a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
For alkali-metal ion batteries, revealing the phase transformation and the ion migration dynamics in the electrodes is vital for understanding how the electrodes work and thereby how we can improve them. Here, using in situ transmission electron microscopy, we track the structural evolution and migration dynamics during sodium insertion into TiS2 nanostructures with the lattice fringe resolution. We find that the sodiation process of TiS2 is initiated by an intercalation reaction and followed by a conversion reaction. From the same reaction event, the velocity of intercalation/conversion phase boundary migration is found to be ∼1.0-1.7 nm s-1, while the pristine/intercalation phase boundary migrates at a velocity of ∼2.5 nm s-1. The sodium migration leads to structural fracture to form nanometer-sized domains (∼3 nm) with volume expansion. During migration, Na prefers to transport along specific directions. Furthermore, a superstructured Na0.25TiS2 intermediate phase with ordered Na ions occupied within the (0001) plane is formed at the reaction front, which is different from the common staging phase. These findings help us understand the working principle and the failure mechanism of the sodium ion battery and also provide useful insights into the general ionic doping of transition metal dichalcogenides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Han
- National Center for Materials Service Safety, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
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He K, Shokuhfar T, Shahbazian-Yassar R. Imaging of soft materials using in situ liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy. JOURNAL OF PHYSICS. CONDENSED MATTER : AN INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS JOURNAL 2019; 31:103001. [PMID: 30524096 DOI: 10.1088/1361-648x/aaf616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This review summarizes the breakthroughs in the field of soft material characterization by in situ liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The focus of this review is mostly on soft biological species such as cells, bacteria, viruses, proteins and polymers. The comparison between the two main liquid-cell systems (silicon nitride membranes liquid cell and graphene liquid cell) is also discussed in terms of their spatial resolution and imaging/analytical capabilities. We have showcased how liquid-cell TEM can reveal the structural details of whole cells, enable the chemical probing of proteins, detect the structural conformation of viruses, and monitor the dynamics of polymerization. In addition, the challenges faced by decoupling electron beam effect on beam-sensitive soft materials are discussed. At the end, future perspectives of in situ liquid-cell TEM studies of soft materials are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun He
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL 60607, United States of America
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Early-stage NiCrMo oxidation revealed by cryo-transmission electron microscopy. Ultramicroscopy 2019; 200:6-11. [PMID: 30797183 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2019.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Hydroxide formation at the surface of corroded alloys is critical for understanding early-stage oxidation of many corrosion-resistant alloys. Many hydroxides are unstable in an ambient environment and are electron-beam sensitive, limiting the use of conventionally-prepared specimens for transmission electron microscopy characterization of these alloy-water interfaces. In order to avoid sample dehydration, NiCrMo alloys corroded in a Cl--containing electrolyte solution were cryo-immobilized by plunge freezing. A cryo-focused ion beam microscope was used to thin the sample to electron transparency, while preserving the alloy-water interface, and the sample was then cryo-transferred to a transmission electron microscope for imaging and diffraction. The presence of rocksalt Ni1-xCr2x/3O and β-Ni1-xCr2x/3(OH)2 phases and their orientational relationship to the underlying alloy were observed with electron diffraction, confirming the preservation of the surface structure through the fully-cryogenic sample preparation and analysis.
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48
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Potential of Si14Ge14 and B14P14 nanocages as electrodes of metal-ion batteries: a theoretical investigation. J Solid State Electrochem 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s10008-018-04176-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Hui J, Gossage ZT, Sarbapalli D, Hernández-Burgos K, Rodríguez-López J. Advanced Electrochemical Analysis for Energy Storage Interfaces. Anal Chem 2018; 91:60-83. [PMID: 30428255 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b05115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jingshu Hui
- Department of Chemistry , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 600 South Mathews Avenue , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States
| | - Zachary T Gossage
- Department of Chemistry , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 600 South Mathews Avenue , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States
| | - Dipobrato Sarbapalli
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 1304 West Green Street , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States
| | - Kenneth Hernández-Burgos
- Department of Chemistry , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 600 South Mathews Avenue , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States.,Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology , 405 North Mathews Avenue , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States
| | - Joaquín Rodríguez-López
- Department of Chemistry , University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign , 600 South Mathews Avenue , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States.,Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology , 405 North Mathews Avenue , Urbana , Illinois 61801 , United States
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Hutzler A, Schmutzler T, Jank MPM, Branscheid R, Unruh T, Spiecker E, Frey L. Unravelling the Mechanisms of Gold-Silver Core-Shell Nanostructure Formation by in Situ TEM Using an Advanced Liquid Cell Design. NANO LETTERS 2018; 18:7222-7229. [PMID: 30346790 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.8b03388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The growth of silver shells on gold nanorods is investigated by in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy using an advanced liquid cell architecture. The design is based on microwells in which the liquid is confined between a thin Si3N4 membrane on one side and a few-layer graphene cap on the other side. A well-defined specimen thickness and an ultraflat cell top allow for the application of high-resolution TEM and the application of analytical TEM techniques on the same sample. The combination of high-resolution data with chemical information is validated by radically new insights into the growth of silver shells on cetrimonium bromide stabilized gold nanorods. It is shown that silver bromide particles already formed in the stock solution play an important role in the exchange of silver ions. The Ag shell growth can be directly correlated with the layer-by-layer dissolution of AgBr nanocrystals, which can be controlled by the electron flux density via distinctly generated chemical species in the solvent. The derived model framework is confirmed by in situ UV-vis absorption spectroscopy evaluating the blue shift in the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance of anisotropic NRs in a complementary batch experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Hutzler
- Electron Devices (LEB), Department of Electrical, Electronic and Communication Engineering , Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) , Cauerstraße 6 , 91058 Erlangen , Germany
| | - Tilo Schmutzler
- Institute for Crystallography and Structural Physics (ICSP), Department of Physics , Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) , Staudtstraße 3 , 91058 Erlangen , Germany
| | - Michael P M Jank
- Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB , Schottkystraße 10 , 91058 Erlangen , Germany
| | - Robert Branscheid
- Institute of Micro- and Nanostructure Research (IMN) and Center for Nanoanalysis and Electron Microscopy (CENEM), Department of Materials Science and Engineering , Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) , Cauerstraße 6 , 91058 Erlangen , Germany
| | - Tobias Unruh
- Institute for Crystallography and Structural Physics (ICSP), Department of Physics , Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) , Staudtstraße 3 , 91058 Erlangen , Germany
| | - Erdmann Spiecker
- Institute of Micro- and Nanostructure Research (IMN) and Center for Nanoanalysis and Electron Microscopy (CENEM), Department of Materials Science and Engineering , Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) , Cauerstraße 6 , 91058 Erlangen , Germany
| | - Lothar Frey
- Electron Devices (LEB), Department of Electrical, Electronic and Communication Engineering , Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) , Cauerstraße 6 , 91058 Erlangen , Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB , Schottkystraße 10 , 91058 Erlangen , Germany
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