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Characterization of Electrode Materials for Lithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries Using Synchrotron Radiation Techniques
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Imaging the microstructure of lithium and sodium metal in anode-free solid-state batteries using electron backscatter
Till Fuchs1, Till Ortmann2, Juri Becker2
1Institute of Physical Chemistry and Center for Materials Research, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany. Till.Fuchs@pc.jlug.de.
Nature Materials
|September 23, 2024
Summary
Metal reservoir-free solid-state batteries offer higher energy density and safety. This study reveals the microstructure of electrodeposited lithium and sodium, identifying large grains and preferential orientation, crucial for battery performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Solid-State Batteries
Background:
- Anode-free solid-state batteries promise enhanced energy density, safety, and manufacturing simplicity.
- Controlling alkali metal electrodeposition morphology is key, but microstructure remains largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a reproducible method for characterizing alkali metal microstructure in solid-state batteries.
- To investigate the grain size, orientation, and dynamic behavior during plating and stripping.
Main Methods:
- Combined focused ion beam (FIB) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) for microstructure analysis.
- In situ EBSD to observe dynamic processes during metal deposition and dissolution.
- Characterization of electrodeposited lithium and sodium on various solid electrolyte interfaces.
Main Results:
- Identified large grain sizes (>100 µm) in electrodeposited lithium and sodium films.
- Observed preferential orientation of grain boundaries in alkali metal layers.
- Documented dynamic grain coarsening during electrodeposition and pore formation during dissolution via in situ EBSD.
Conclusions:
- The developed FIB-EBSD protocol provides a route to characterize alkali metal microstructure.
- Understanding microstructure dynamics is critical for optimizing solid-state battery performance and longevity.
- Results offer insights into improving alkali metal plating/stripping for advanced battery designs.
