In-situ Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) has emerged as a pivotal tool for studying dynamic processes in battery materials. Variants such as in-situ heating, biasing, and gas reactions enable unique insights, from electrochemically driven structural evolution in solid-state batteries (SSBs) to particle growth tracking during high-temperature gas-solid reactions for cathode synthesis.
In-situ biasing SEM imaging reveals critical phenomena like volume changes, microstructural and interface degradation, and dendrite formation, dependent on SEM’s analytical capabilities. Since SEM primarily captures surface details, ion milling—whether Broad Ion Beam (BIB) or Focused Ion Beam (FIB)—plays a crucial role in preparing precise, site-specific cross-sections, unveiling key subsurface features. Complementing this, inert sample transfer ensures pristine handling of air-sensitive battery materials, enabling workflows tailored for efficient and high-throughput in-situ analysis.
Similarly, in-situ gas reactions provide real-time insights into cathode material synthesis. Observing gas-solid interactions, such as precursor decomposition in reactive atmospheres, helps optimize crystallinity and phase composition. This approach elucidates catalyst formation pathways, paving the way for designing high-performance materials for energy applications.
This poster showcases recent results in in-situ biasing and gas reactions, emphasizing simple, efficient workflows that integrate precise ion milling and robust sample transfer strategies to minimize preparation failures and enhance analysis reliability.