This has enabled scientists to describe the microstructure of these anodes for the first time in a way that opens up new avenues of research towards more efficient solid-state batteries. This discovery has the potential to change how energy storage will develop in future..
Unveiling the Microstructure
Now, researchers describe for the first time how lithium and sodium are distributed within smooth, previously unmapped regions of anode black by imaging these alloys at elemental level with unprecedented precision in three dimensions.
A team led by Prof. Dr. Jürgen Janek from the Institute of Physical Chemistry at Justus Liebig University Giessen (JLU) developed a special process for low-temperature production and analysis of the metal samples in an inert gas atmosphere. The technique also enabled them to use electron backscatter diffraction for insights into the internal structure of the metal all scales from nanometres up to micrometres.
Tapping Alkali Metals
Metal anodes of lithium and sodium with solid state electrolytes represent a significant step toward the realization of next-generation solid-state batteries with higher energy density, improved safety, and much longer cycle life than conventional Li-ion batteries! Nonetheless, the very high reactivity of these alkali metals has proven to be a challenge for evaluating their microstructure, which is critically important for understanding and improving their electrochemical performance.
The critical development of the researchers has thereby provided an unprecedented understanding of the grain scale, growth mechanisms and other structural characteristics of electrochemically deposited lithium and sodium metal. The hope is that with this new information they can better control the metal’s microstructure and create more efficient, and also safer all-solid-state batteries to rival what lithium-ion is capable of today.
Conclusion
The results of this research collaboration open new and exciting avenues that could transform the field of energy storage. The researchers have revealed the microstructure of lithium and sodium metal anodes, opening up pathways for further performance optimization and safety enhancement of solid-state batteries—a prerequisite to advance this novel type of energy storage widely accepted in the society.
