Atomic resolution observation of conversion-type anode RuO2 during the first electrochemical lithiation. (5th March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mao, Minmin; Nie, Anmin; Liu, Jiabin; Wang, Hongtao; Mao, Scott X; Wang, Qingxiao; Li, Kun; Zhang, Xi-Xiang
• Is Part Of: Nanotechnology. Volume 26:Number 12(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-03-05
• Subjects: lithium-ion batteries -- transition metal oxides -- in situ transmission electron microscopy -- atomic resolution; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology; Publications périodiques; Nanotechnologies; Periodicals; 620.5
• DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/26/12/125404
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0957-4484

Abstract

Abstract: Transition metal oxides have attracted great interest as alternative anode materials for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Among them, ruthenium dioxide is considered to be a prototype material that reacts with the Li ions in the conversion type. In situ transmission electron microscopy reveals a two-step process during the initial lithiation of the RuO2 nanowire anode at atomic resolution. The first step is characterized by the formation of the intermediate phase Li x RuO2 due to the Li-ion intercalation. The following step is manifested by the solid-state amorphization reaction driven by advancing the reaction front. The crystalline/amorphous interface is consisted of {011} atomic terraces, revealing the orientation-dependent mobility. In the crystalline matrix, lattice disturbance and dislocation are identified to be two major stress-induced distortions. The latter can be effective diffusion channels, facilitating transportation of the Li ions inside the bulk RuO2 crystal and further resulting in non-uniform Li-ion distribution. It is expected that the local enrichment of the Li ions may account for the homogeneous nucleation of dislocations in the bulk RuO2 crystal and the special island-like structures. These results elucidate the structural evolution and the phase transformation during electrochemical cycling, which sheds light on engineering RuO2 anode materials.