Localized‐domains staging structure and evolution in lithiated graphite

Intercalation provides to the host materials a means for controlled variation of many physical/chemical properties and dominates reactions in metal-ion batteries. Of particular interest is graphite intercalation compounds with intriguing staging structures, which however are still unclear, especially their nanostructure dynamic transition mechanism. Herein, nature structure evolution lithium (Li)-intercalated was revealed by cryogenic-transmission electron microscopy other methods at nanoscale. The intercalated Li-ions distribute unevenly, generating local stress dislocations graphitic structure. Each compound found macroscopically ordered but microscopically inhomogeneous, exhibiting localized-domains structural model. Our findings uncover correlation between long-range short-range domains, refresh insights on Li-intercalated/deintercalated graphite, provide effective ways enhance reaction kinetic rechargeable batteries defect engineering.