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Published on: November 10, 2014
Engineering bilayer SEI via ultrasonic fields for long-life lithium batteries
Yu Liu1, Hongcheng Liang1, Peng Wang2
1School of Petrochemical Technology, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, China; Key Laboratory of Low Carbon Energy and Chemical Engineering of Gansu Province, Lanzhou 730050, China.
Ultrasonics Sonochemistry
|August 1, 2026
Summary
Ultrasound application during lithium battery formation creates a stable bilayer solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), enhancing cycling stability and performance. This physical field strategy optimizes SEI structure for improved battery longevity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Battery Technology
Background:
- The solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) structure is crucial for lithium battery cycling stability.
- Controlling SEI spatial organization via external fields during formation is underexplored.
- Electrolyte formulation is a common but limited method for SEI regulation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the use of ultrasound during SEI formation to control its spatial architecture.
- To understand how ultrasound affects interfacial mass transport and reaction uniformity.
- To develop a strategy for improved SEI growth and battery performance.
Main Methods:
- Ultrasound application during the 1.4 to 1.0 V vs. Li/Li+ FEC reduction interval of initial discharge.
- Characterization using Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), and Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM).
Main Results:
- Ultrasound treatment resulted in a bilayer SEI with a compact inorganic inner layer and an organic-rich outer layer.
- Untreated cells formed a compositionally mixed mosaic SEI.
- Ultrasound-treated cells exhibited enhanced interfacial passivation, charge transfer, and rate capability.
- Ultrasound-treated cells retained 80.77% capacity after 500 cycles at 1.0 C, significantly outperforming untreated cells.
Conclusions:
- Ultrasound is an effective physical field strategy for regulating SEI growth and architecture.
- The bilayer SEI formed using ultrasound improves lithium battery cycling stability and performance.
- This method offers a novel approach to SEI engineering without altering electrolyte chemistry or material substrates.
