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Application of Auger electron spectroscopy in lithium-ion conducting oxide solid electrolytes

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Abstract

Garnet-type oxide solid electrolytes are the critical materials for all-solid-state lithium ion batteries. Nanoscale spectroscopic analysis on solid electrolytes plays a key role in bridging the gap between microstructure and properties. In this work, Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), which can directly detect lithium element and distinguish its valence state, was applied to characterize the garnet-type Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO). Different spectroscopy parameters were evaluated and optimal acquisition conditions were provided. Electron induced precipitation of lithium metal from LLZTO was observed. By exploring the influence factors of precipitation and combining transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and focused ion beam (FIB) experiments, the underlying mechanism of the phenomenon was revealed and previous controversy was resolved. The analysis method was also extended to other types of solid electrolytes, and this work provides a reference for future in-depth research on the structure–property relationship of solid electrolytes using AES.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Shanghai Science and Technology Plan (No. 21DZ2260400) and the startup funding from ShanghaiTech University. The electron microscopy characterization was supported by the Center for High-resolution Electron Microscopy (CħEM) at ShanghaiTech University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Physical Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China

    Yue Zhang, Wenbo Zhai, Xiangchen Hu, Yilan Jiang, Shaojie Chen, Yining Zhang, Wei Liu & Yi Yu

  2. Shanghai Key Laboratory of High-resolution Electron Microscopy, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China

    Yue Zhang, Wenbo Zhai, Xiangchen Hu, Yilan Jiang, Shaojie Chen, Yining Zhang, Wei Liu & Yi Yu

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  1. Yue Zhang
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Correspondence to Wei Liu or Yi Yu.

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Zhang, Y., Zhai, W., Hu, X. et al. Application of Auger electron spectroscopy in lithium-ion conducting oxide solid electrolytes. Nano Res. 16, 4039–4048 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-022-4431-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-022-4431-2

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