Atomic resolution enabled STEM imaging of nanocrystals at cryogenic temperature. (19th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tyukalova, Elizaveta; Duchamp, Martial
• Is Part Of: JPhys materials. Volume 3:Number 3(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-05-19
• Subjects: electron beam degradation -- cryo-STEM -- LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 -- ZnCo1.8Ni0.2O4; Solid state physics -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; 530.41
• DOI: 10.1088/2515-7639/ab8a95
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2515-7639

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, we address the problem of electron-beam induced damage on two energy-related materials: LiNi0.5 Mn1.5 O4 used as a cathode material for lithium-ion batteries and ZnCo1.8 Ni0.2 O4 used as a catalyst for oxygen evolution reaction. Both materials were found to transform from the spinel into the rocksalt phase while being imaged by high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (HR-STEM) at room temperature. To mitigate the degradation, we found HR-STEM characterization at cryogenic temperature delays the critical electron dose for structural modification. We determined the native phase of materials to be spinel while the other phases observed by HR-STEM were induced by the electron-beam. From a careful analysis of the experimental data and a detailed understanding of the different degradation processes induced by an energetic electron beam, we conclude that radiolysis is the mechanism responsible for the degradation in LiNi0.5 Mn1.5 O4 and ZnCo1.8 Ni0.2 O4 nanoparticles.