(407f) Lithium-Ion Battery Cathode-Electrolyte Interface

The global energy crisis coupled with the consumption of fossil fuels and the associated environmental issues has stimulated extensive interest in searching for clean and sustainable energy storage and conversion systems. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are widely used in mobile devices, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles. Electrode-electrolyte interface has a strong impact on battery capacity decrease and long-term cycling stability. In order to improve fundamental understanding of the involved phenomena to accelerate the rational design of cathode materials and stable interface, we will discuss the cathode degradation mechanism and the processes occurring at the cathode-electrolyte interfaces. Using LiMnO₄ and Li(Ni,Co,Mn)O₂ (NCM) as cathode materials, we will focus on electrochemical characterization, cation mixing, oxygen evolution, and thin film deposition with controlled crystal structures and composition. We will further introduce our work employing the scanning electrochemical microscope to study LIBs degradation and cathode-electrolyte interface in situ and in real-time.