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Surface Properties of Battery Materials Elucidated Using Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy: The Case of Type I Silicon Clathrate
Author(s) -
Tarnev Tsvetan,
Wilde Patrick,
Dopilka Andrew,
Schuhmann Wolfgang,
Chan Candace K.,
Ventosa Edgar
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemelectrochem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.182
H-Index - 59
ISSN - 2196-0216
DOI - 10.1002/celc.201901688
Subject(s) - x ray photoelectron spectroscopy , scanning electrochemical microscopy , silicon , scanning electron microscope , faraday efficiency , materials science , electrochemistry , chemical engineering , electrolyte , lithium (medication) , analytical chemistry (journal) , nanotechnology , chemistry , electrode , composite material , organic chemistry , optoelectronics , medicine , engineering , endocrinology
Silicon clathrates have attracted interest as potential anodes for lithium‐ion batteries with unique framework structures. However, very little is known about the surface reactivity and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) properties of clathrates. In this study, operando scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is used to investigate the effect of pre‐treatment on the formation dynamics and intrinsic properties of the SEI in electrodes prepared from type I Ba 8 Al 16 Si 30 silicon clathrates. Although X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis does not reveal large changes in SEI composition, it is found through SECM measurements that ball‐milling combined with chemical acid/base etching of the clathrates lead to a more stable and rapidly formed SEI as compared to purely ball‐milled samples, resulting in enhanced coulombic efficiency.