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Research Highlight

New in situ TEM characterization method developed for performing controlled nanoscale electrochemistry testing in a fluid environment at high spatial resolution

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In situ Electrochemical Fluid Cell Microscopy: (a) SEM image of microbattery (b) charging curve (c) BF TEM micrograph of HOPG anode (d) frame-shot from in-situ electrochemistry experiment showing electrolyte decomposing on the surface of the graphite anode image through an electrolyte of 1M LiClO4 in EC:DEC.
A new in situ TEM characterization method was developed at ORNL for performing controlled nanoscale electrochemistry testing in a fluid environment at high spatial resolution.  This will allow . . . . .  The new characterization method was awarded the Microscopy & Microanalysis' Birks Award.  The Birks Award is presented annually to the best contributed paper from the previous year’s Microscopy & Microanalysis annual meeting (August 7-11, 2011 in Nashville, TN) and is judged from the quality of both the paper and the oral presentation. The winning award was judged best out of a total of 120 nominations.

Research Details

  • In situ electrochemical fluid cell TEM holder was used to study electrolyte decomposition mechanisms (solid electrolyte interphase formation) on electrodes composed of highly ordered pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) electrodes in a lithium ion battery configuration.
  • Real time imaging of the decomposition under applied potential of an electrolyte composed of ethylene carbonate (EC) and diethyl carbonate (DEC) aids in elucidating the fundamental mechanisms of SEI (solid electrolyte interphase) formation.

For more information, contact Ray Unocic, unocicrr@ornl.gov. 

     

R.R. Unocic, L.A. Adamczyk, N.J. Dudney, D.H. Alsem, N.J. Salmon and K.L. More. “In-situ TEM Characterization of Electrochemical Processes in Energy Storage Systems.” Microscopy and Microanalysis 2011, 17 (Suppl. 2), 1564-1565.