Ultrafast and reversible electrochemical lithiation of InAs nanowires observed by in-situ transmission electron microscopy. (February 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Xing; Xiao, Dongdong; Zheng, Hao; Wei, Xianlong; Wang, Xiaoye; Gu, Lin; Hu, Yong-Sheng; Yang, Tao; Chen, Qing
• Is Part Of: Nano energy. Volume 20(2016:Feb.)
• Page Start: 194
• Page End: 201
• Publication Date: 2016-02
• Subjects: InAs nanowire -- Lithium ion battery -- In-situ TEM -- Fast lithiation -- Stacking faults; Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanostructured materials -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Nanoscience; Nanostructured materials; Nanotechnology; Power resources -- Technological innovations; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2015.12.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2211-2855

Abstract

Abstract: The electrochemical lithiation/delithiation processes of InAs nanowires (NWs) are studied by in-situ transmission electron microscopy. Our results indicate that InAs NWs have a fast lithiation speed of 275 nm/s and a high lithium ion (Li-ion) diffusion coefficient of 2.49×10 −8 cm 2 /s at room temperature. Upon lithiation, the Li-ion insertion firstly results in severe lattice distortions of InAs NWs, and the formation of Li3 As and Li x In through the conversion and alloying processes take place on further lithiation. A small volume expansion of 157% is observed in full lithiation and is attributed to the naturally formed surface oxide layer. During the delithiation process, volume contraction and the dealloying of Li x In take place. Induced by the alloying and dealloying of Li x In, the dark and bright strips along the basal plane of InAs NWs appear and disappear alternately during the lithiation–delithiation cycling. Our results provide important insights into the lithiation/delithiation mechanism of III–V group nanomaterials and are envisaged to be helpful for designing lithium ion battery anode materials with fast lithiation speed, small volume expansion and reversible lithiation/delithiation processes. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Lithiation/delithiation of InAs NWs are studied for the first time by in-situ TEM. An ultrafast lithiation speed of 275 nm/s is observed in InAs NWs. InAs NWs exhibit a small volume expansion and reversible lithiation/delithiation. The lithiation products were determined by TEM and chemical equations are proposed.