(335a) Cryo-Electron Microscopy for Battery Materials

Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) received the 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for its ability to elucidate the nanostructure of biomolecules in their native state, revolutionizing the field of structural biology. Here, we pioneer an approach to utilize this powerful technique to enable new discoveries for batteries¹ (Y. Li, Y. Cui, et al. Science 2017, DOI: 10.1126/science.aam6014) and show that cryo-EM can potentially have a similar impact in materials science.

Whereas conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies are unable to preserve the native state of chemically-reactive and beam-sensitive battery materials (e.g. Li metal) after operation, such materials remain pristine at cryogenic conditions. It is then possible to atomically resolve individual Li metal atoms and their interface with the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). We observe that dendrites in carbonate-based electrolytes grow along the <111> (preferred), <110>, or <211> directions as faceted, single-crystalline nanowires. These growth directions can change at kinks with no observable crystallographic defect. Furthermore, we reveal distinct SEI nanostructures formed in different electrolytes that explain why certain additives lead to better performance. With cryo-EM, we open up exciting new opportunities for scientific discovery, which will be critical for providing fundamental insight to battery materials design.

1. Yuzhang Li*, Yanbin Li*, A. Pei, K. Yan, Y. Sun, C-L Wu, L-M, Joubert, R. Chin, A.L. Koh, Y. Yu, J. Perrino, B. Butz, S. Chu, Y. Cui. “Atomic structure of sensitive battery materials and interfaces revealed by cryo-electron microscopy,” Science (2017) DOI: 10.1126/science.aam6014

*Denotes equal contribution