Cryo?Electron Microscopy for Unveiling the Sensitive Battery Materials

Deep chemical and structural investigation of battery components is increasingly imperative for exploring new electrode materials their performance iterations the next-generation energy storage devices with high density. This particularly true in research realm lithium (Li) metal its derivatives robust anode. Conventionally, both Li solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer are chemically reactive sensitive to electron-beam irradiation, making high-resolution observation difficult perform at native environment. Recently, emergence cryo-electron microscopy (EM) has brought great opportunities reveal physicochemical properties these materials. By means cryo-EM, imaging samples nanometer or even atomic scale while maintaining state can be realized. Herein, contributions cryo-EM characterization focused on, which tentatively classified as following: visualization dendrites, inactive Li, discussion regarding interface chemistry. The review concludes by providing several proposals development future. It hoped that this work will shed light on in-depth understanding high-performance rechargeable batteries.