Investigating the Nanoscale Solid-Liquid Interface for Next Generation Batteries via Cryogenic Sub-Atomic Scale Electron Microscopy

提高储能设备的使用寿命和性能是绿色能源社会的关键。电解液和电极的界面在电池和电容器中起着至关重要的作用。然而，由于电解质的液相和锂的挥发性，表征这一区域是具有挑战性的。用于生物研究的低温样品制备和显微分析最近已用于电池表征。低温真空条件允许人们对在这些非常复杂的界面上产生的电化学反应有一个不失真的看法。在本项目中，我们将研究新一代储能纳米材料的组成和沉积方法。对于这些能源材料，还有大量未被探索的基本问题有待解决，这些问题只有随着低温显微镜仪器和用于无损伤成像和光谱学的直接电子探测器的发展才有可能解决。本项目旨在研究：-电极-电解质界面与锂离子电池性能之间的关系。-原子尺度固液界面的复杂结构，重点是探测光和挥发性元素，如Li和h。-界面内化学键的变化。

Improving the lifetime and performance of energy storage devices is key to a green-energy society. The interface of the electrolyte and electrode plays the most crucial role in batteries and capacitors. However due to the liquid phase of the electrolyte and the volatile nature of Li, characterising this region is challenging. Cryogenic sample preparation and microscopy analysis exploited for biological research has more recently been used for battery characterisation. The cryogenic vacuum conditions allows one to have an undistorted view of the resulting electrochemical reactions at these very complex interfaces. In this project we will investigate new compositions of nanomaterials and depeosition methods for the next generation energy storage. There is a vast field of unexplored fundamental questions to be addressed for these energy materials that is only possible now with the development for cryogenic microscopy instrumentation and direct electron detectors for damage free imaging and spectroscopy.This project will aim to investigate:- The relationship between the electrode-electrolyte interface and the performance of lithium-ion batteries. - The complex structure of the solid-liquid interface at the atomic-scale, with an emphasis on probing the light and volatile element such as Li and H.- Changes in chemical bonding within the interfaces.