In-Operando Vibrational Spectroscopy for Next Generation Lithium Batteries

In this talk, I will present our group’s research on in-operando vibrational spectroscopy for next generation lithium batteries. In the first half of the presentation, I will discuss our work on in-operando ATR-FTIR spectroscopy to develop a molecular level understanding of the polysulfide speciation, product-cathode and product-electrolyte interactions in Lithium sulfur batteries. I will specifically focus on sulfurized polymers, sulfur-diisopropenylbenzene copolymer and sulfurized polyacrylonitrile, and the role of C-S bonds in defining their redox mechanism in Li-S batteries. In the second half of my presentation, I will discuss our research on in-operando Raman spectroscopy that allows us to probe Raman active species in the electrode, electrolyte and the SEI in Lithium batteries. Using this technique, we have monitored the evolution of the dynamic interface of an anode-free gel polymer electrolyte cell as it undergoes lithium plating and stripping. In doing so, we also observe initial SEI components that form on the copper electrode before lithium plating. The flexibility of this technique allows us to observe these types of interfacial products in-operando for any solid electrolyte.