Single “Swiss-roll” microelectrode elucidates the critical role of iron substitution in conversion-type oxides

authored by: Lixiang Liu, Shaozhuan Huang, Wujun Shi, Xiaolei Sun, Jinbo Pang, Qiongqiong Lu, Ye Yang, Lixia Xi, Liang Deng, Steffen Oswald, Yin Yin, Lifeng Liu, Libo Ma, Oliver G. Schmidt, Yumeng Shi, Lin Zhang
Abstract: Advancing the lithium-ion battery technology requires the understanding of electrochemical processes in electrode materials with high resolution, accuracy, and sensitivity. However, most techniques today are limited by their inability to separate the complex signals from slurry-coated composite electrodes. Here, we use a three-dimensional “Swiss-roll” microtubular electrode that is incorporated into a micrometer-sized lithium battery. This on-chip platform combines various in situ characterization techniques and precisely probes the intrinsic electrochemical properties of each active material due to the removal of unnecessary binders and additives. As an example, it helps elucidate the critical role of Fe substitution in a conversion-type NiO electrode by monitoring the evolution of Fe₂O₃ and solid electrolyte interphase layer. The markedly enhanced electrode performances are therefore explained. Our approach exposes a hitherto unexplored route to tracking the phase, morphology, and electrochemical evolution of electrodes in real time, allowing us to reveal information that is not accessible with bulk-level characterization techniques.
Organisation(s): Institute of Solid State Physics
External Organisation(s): Shenzhen University
Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research Dresden (IFW)
Chemnitz University of Technology (CUT)
Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China (MOE)
ShanghaiTech University
Nankai University
Technische Universität Dresden
International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory
Type: Article
Journal: Science advances
Volume: 8
No. of pages: 11
ISSN: 2375-2548
Publication date: 12.2022
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: General
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.add6596 (Access: Open)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9770940/ (Access: Open)