Correlative Analysis of Ion-Concentration Profile and Surface Nanoscale Topography Changes Using Operando Scanning Ion Conductance Microscopy

Although various spectroscopic methods have been developed to capture ion-concentration profile changes, it is still difficult to visualize the ion-concentration profile and surface topographical changes simultaneously during the charging/discharging of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). To tackle this issue, we have developed an operando scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM) method that can directly visualize an ion-concentration profile and surface topography using a SICM nanopipette while controlling the sample potential or current with a potentiostat for characterizing the polarization state during charging/discharging. Using operando SICM on the negative electrode (anode) of LIBs, we have characterized ion-concentration profile changes and the reversible volume changes related to the phase transition during cyclic voltammetry (CV) and charge/discharge of the graphite anode. Operando SICM is a versatile technique that is likely to be of major value for evaluating the correlation between the electrolyte concentration profile and nanoscale surface topography changes.