Imaging of Lithium Distribution by Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

Abstract

  Recently, lithium atomic columns have been visualized by a new method of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) called as annular bright field (ABF) imaging. We show that the number of lithium atoms in individual columns can be countable by quantitative analysis and the atoms at the surface layer can be detectable by using large convergent electron beam. We also show local structural transformation accompanied by the displacement of lithium ions for LiV₂O₄ crystals by in-situ ABF observation. We briefly present operand TEM observation of the lithium ion battery, consisting of LiMn₂O₄ cathode nanowire, ionic liquid electrolyte and Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ anode.