Autonomous Characterization for Investigating Cathode Active Materials and Solid-Solid/Solid-Liquid Interphaces in Energy Storage Devices

The characterization of complex energy materials often requires detailed structural and functional analysis across multiple length and time scales. While in-situ and operando transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provide dynamic information [1], they can be lacking in resolution and sensitivity to some degree, particularly when studying cathode active materials and solid-solid or solid-liquid interfaces/interphases [2-4]. Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryoEM) has successfully filled this gap as a 'freeze-the-moment' technique, allowing for the imaging of dose-sensitive interphases in a protected environment. CryoEM is particularly well-suited for investigating solid-solid and solid-liquid interfaces in energy materials, where these interfaces play critical roles in determining material properties and performance [4]. By combining cryoEM with an autonomous characterization system, we can overcome the limitations of human operators and improve sensitivity and resolution for these interfaces. This approach has the potential to revolutionize basic energy research, enabling comprehensive investigations of complex materials at multiple length and time scales. [5]<br/>References:<br/>[1] Tension-Induced Cavitation in Li Metal Stripping, C. Wang, R. Lin, Y. He, P. Zou, K. Kisslinger, Q. He, J. Li, HL Xin, Advanced Materials, (2022)<br/>[2] Characterization of the structure and chemistry of the solid–electrolyte interface by cryo-EM leads to high-performance solid-state Li-metal batteries, R. Lin, Y. He, C. Wang, P. Zou, E. Hu, X.-Q. Yang, K. Xu & H. L. Xin, Nature Nanotechnology, 17, 768–776 (2022)<br/>[3] Resolving complex intralayer transition motifs in high-Ni-content layered cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, C. Wang, X. Wang, R. Zhang, T. Lei, K. Kisslinger & H. L. Xin, Nature Materials, (2023), 22, 235–241 (2023)<br/>[4] Compositionally complex doping for zero-strain zero-cobalt layered cathodes, R. Zhang, C. Wang, P. Zou, R. Lin, L. Ma, L. Yin, T. Li, W. Xu, H. Jia, Q. Li, S. Sainio, K. Kisslinger, S. E. Trask, S. N. Ehrlich, Y. Yang, A. M. Kiss, M. Ge, B. J. Polzin, S. J. Lee, W. Xu, Y. Ren and H. L. Xin, Nature, 610, 67–73 (2022)<br/>[5] Supported by the Department of Energy under award no. DE-SC0021204 and the startup funding of HLX.