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Avalanche-like intercalation and intraparticle correlations in graphite
Jiho Han1,2,3, George S Phillips2,3, Alice J Merryweather1,2,3,4
1Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
Nature
|July 29, 2026
Summary
Lithium-ion battery research reveals that graphite
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Graphite is the primary negative electrode material in lithium-ion batteries.
- The dynamics of lithium intercalation in graphite, especially at dilute stages, are not fully understood.
- Continuous phase transitions during battery operation lack fundamental explanation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the dynamics of ion intercalation in graphite during dilute stages.
- To understand the mechanism of symmetry-breaking phase transitions in graphite electrodes.
- To investigate the role of disorder in intercalation dynamics and phase transitions.
Main Methods:
- Operando optical microscopy to observe intercalation dynamics in real-time.
- Development and application of a modified random field Ising model.
- Spatio-temporal analysis of avalanche events.
Main Results:
- Observed rapid, localized deintercalation-intercalation events ('avalanches') in graphitic particles.
- Linked these avalanches to static disorder disrupting intercalation dynamics.
- The model successfully explained continuous stage transitions and experimental avalanche statistics.
- Revealed heterogeneous connectivity through avalanche event analysis.
Conclusions:
- Static disorder plays a crucial role in the phase-transition behavior of layered battery materials.
- Avalanche phenomena provide a framework for understanding intercalation dynamics in graphite.
- New analytical tools and concepts are introduced for studying battery materials.
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