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Lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries are critically important for the storage of renewable energies. However, they often suffer from the electrochemically induced mechanical degradation in high-capacity electrodes, resulting in capacity fade and short cycle life. We have developed a unique nanobattery cell inside a transmission electron microscope, which enables the real-time observation of reaction, deformation and degradation in individual nanowire and nanoparticle electrodes. In this discussion, I will present our recent studies using this nanobattery technique. Examples include the lithiation of Si nanowires with oxide coatings, sodiation of carbon nanofibers, delithiation of Ge nanoparticles, and delithiation of patterned Si thin films. Our results provide new insights into the microstructural evolution and mechanical degradation in battery electrodes and have broad implications for designing the durable electrodes in high-performance rechargeable batteries.

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Recent studies of rechargeable battery electrodes using In Situ TEM

Lithium-ion batteries and sodium-ion batteries are critically important for the storage of renewable energies. However, they often suffer from the electrochemically induced mechanical degradation in high-capacity electrodes, resulting in capacity fade and short cycle life. We have developed a unique nanobattery cell inside a transmission electron microscope, which enables the real-time observation of reaction, deformation and degradation in individual nanowire and nanoparticle electrodes. In this discussion, I will present our recent studies using this nanobattery technique. Examples include the lithiation of Si nanowires with oxide coatings, sodiation of carbon nanofibers, delithiation of Ge nanoparticles, and delithiation of patterned Si thin films. Our results provide new insights into the microstructural evolution and mechanical degradation in battery electrodes and have broad implications for designing the durable electrodes in high-performance rechargeable batteries.