In Situ TEM Imaging of Solid State Li-ion Nanobatteries

Lithium ion batteries are of crucial importance to the aerospace industry, since they represent the method with the greatest potential to increase energy storage density whilst maintaining low weight -- crucial for the next generation of air and space transportation. New materials both for cathodes and anodes, and for possible solid state electrolytes have been developed in recent years, to improve (among other things) the power densities of these solid state batteries, and increase the safety of their operating conditions. These materials often suffer, however, from large volume changes during the first few charge/discharge cycles, leading to fracture and failure of the battery. One way to address this problem which has been used with some success, is to incorporate these materials in the form of nanoparticles and nanowires. Here we propose to construct an open cell nanobattery comprising a new Li-ion battery cathode material in nanowire form, connected to prototypical solid state electrolyte and anode materials. This nanometer-scale device will be fabricated on a special substrate for use in our in situ heating and biasing holder, and the first charge/discharge cycle run while simultaneously imaging the effect on the microstructure of the nanowire cathode in the transmission electron microscope (TEM). Using combined electrothermal substrates we will also conduct tests to study the effect of elevated temperatures on battery operation.