Visualization of Active and Passive Control of Morphology during Electrodeposition

Morphological instability, particularly dendrite formation, can cause potentially catastrophic failure in rechargeable batteries. Morphological instabilities can lower the quality of electroplated coatings, yet may also be useful in forming porous deposits. Thus, it is important to develop strategies to control these instabilities. Liquid cell electron microscopy allows us to image in real time and with nanoscale resolution the evolution of the solid-liquid interface during electrochemical deposition as a function of process conditions [1-3]. This allows us to obtain insights into the mechanisms leading to instabilities and to investigate strategies for controlling electrodeposited morphology.