Investigating the evolving microstructure of lithium metal electrodes in 3D using X-ray Computed Tomography

DOI: 10.1039/C7CP02872E

Authors: Oluwadamilola O. Taiwo (University College London) , Donal P. Finegan (University College London) , Juan Manuel Paz Garcia (Lund University) , David S. Eastwood (Manchester X-Ray Imaging Facility; University of Manchester) , Andrew J. Bodey (Diamond Light Source) , Christoph Rau (Diamond Light Source) , Stephen A. Hall (Lund University) , Dan J. L. Brett (University College London) , Peter D. Lee (Manchester X-Ray Imaging Facility; University of Manchester) , Paul R. Shearing (University College London)
Co-authored by industrial partner: No

Type: Journal Paper
Journal: Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys.

State: Published (Approved)
Published: July 2017
Diamond Proposal Number(s): 11539

Abstract: The growth of electrodeposited lithium microstructures on metallic lithium electrodes has prevented their use in rechargeable lithium batteries due to early performance degradation and safety implications. Understanding the evolution of lithium microstructures during battery operation is crucial for the development of an effective and safe rechargeable lithium-metal battery. This study employs both synchrotron and laboratory X-ray computed tomography to investigate the morphological evolution of the surface of metallic lithium electrodes during a single cell discharge and over numerous cycles, respectively. The formation of surface pits and the growth of mossy lithium deposits through the separator layer are characterised in three-dimensions. This has provided insight into the microstructural evolution of lithium--metal electrodes during rechargeable battery operation, and further understanding of the importance of separator architecture in mitigating lithium dendrite growth.

Subject Areas: Chemistry, Materials, Energy
Collaborations: Diamond Manchester

Instruments: I13-2-Diamond Manchester Imaging

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