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Updated: Jan 31, 2026

Focused Ion Beam Fabrication of LiPON-based Solid-state Lithium-ion Nanobatteries for In Situ Testing
Published on: March 7, 2018
In Situ Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscope Study of Microstructural Evolution of Single Tin Particle Anode
Xinwei Zhou1,2, Tianyi Li1, Yi Cui1
1Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering , Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis , Indianapolis , Indiana 46202 , United States.
Abstract:
Tin (Sn) is a potential anode material for highenergy density Li-ion batteries because of its high capacity, safety, abundance and low cost. However, Sn suffers from large volume change during cycling, leading to fast degradation of the electrode. For the first time, the microstructural evolution of micrometer-sized single Sn particle was monitored by focused-ion beam (FIB) polishing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging during electrochemical cycling by in situ FIB-SEM. Our results show the formation and evolution of cracks during lithiation, evolution of porous structure during delithiation and volume expansion/contraction during cycling. The electrochemical performance and the microstructural evolution of the Sn microparticle during cycling are directly correlated, which provides insights for understanding Sn-based electrode materials.
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