Controlling Interfacial Reduction Kinetics and Suppressing Electrochemical Oscillations in Li ₄ Ti ₅ O ₁₂ Thin?Film Anodes

Understanding the fundamentals of surface decoration effects in phase-separation materials, such as lithium titanate (LTO), is important for optimizing lithium-ion battery (LIB) performance. LTO polycrystalline thin-film electrodes with and without doped Al–ZnO (AZO) coating are used ideal models to gain insights into mechanisms involved. Operando shear force modulation spectroscopy observe first time nanoscale dynamics solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI) formation on electrode surfaces, confirming that AZO electrochemically converted a stiff, homogenous SEI layer protects from electrolyte-induced decomposition. This its resultant artificial SEI-layer have higher Li-ion transport rates than unmodified surface. These layers can reduce barriers nucleation facilitate rapid redistribution lithium-ions during Li4Ti5O12 ? Li7Ti5O12 phase separation, significantly inhabiting orderly collective behavior (electrochemical oscillation) electrode. The suppressed voltage oscillations indicate more homogeneous local exchange current density de/intercalation states decorated electrodes, thereby extending their efficiency long-term cycling stability. work highlights ultimate importance treatment LIB materials determining interfacial chemistry transition intercalation/deintercalation.