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Response and Implication of NASICON Solid-State Electrolytes to Local Electrical Stimulation: From Surface
Qiaomei Sun1, Jin An Sam Oh1,2,3, Li Lu1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, Singapore 117576.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|September 23, 2021
Summary
Researchers developed a new nanoscale method to assess solid electrolyte wettability for better solid-state batteries. This technique precisely evaluates surface interactions, crucial for improving battery performance and engineering ceramic electrolytes.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Surface Science
Background:
- Solid electrolyte surface properties critically influence physical characteristics and electrode interactions.
- Macroscopic contact angle measurements, traditionally used for interfacial contact evaluation, are limited by microstructure and intrinsic wettability.
- Understanding nanoscale interfacial behavior is essential for advancing solid-state battery technology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel nanoscale methodology for evaluating the sodium wettability of solid electrolytes.
- To investigate the impact of surface treatments on the sodium wettability and interfacial properties.
- To correlate nanoscale surface topography and electrochemical activity with wettability.
Main Methods:
- Facile thermal treatments to regulate the surface chemistry of solid electrolytes.
- Scanning probe microscopy (SPM)-based techniques to analyze nanoscale electrolyte-electrode interactions.
- Controlled manipulation of SPM tip overpotential to induce sodium ion migration and analyze surface topography evolution.
- Correlation of topographic changes with sodium wettability and electrochemical measurements (I-V curves).
Main Results:
- Demonstrated a method to tune solid electrolyte surface chemistry via thermal treatment.
- Successfully correlated nanoscale topographic evolution with sodium wettability.
- Revealed local electrochemical reaction dynamics by linking surface ionic activity and I-V curves.
- Established a direct link between surface treatment, nanoscale wettability, and electrochemical performance.
Conclusions:
- The developed SPM-based methodology offers an effective approach to evaluate sodium wettability at the nanoscale.
- Surface engineering of solid electrolytes significantly impacts their interaction with metallic anodes.
- Findings provide critical insights for designing advanced ceramic electrolytes for high-performance solid-state batteries.
