PNNL

Abstract

Insight into the dynamics of electrochemical processes is critically needed to improve our fundamental understanding of the electron, charge and mass transfer mechanisms and reaction kinetics that influence a broad range of applications: from the functionality of electrical energy storage and conversion devices (e.g. batteries, fuel cells, and supercapacitors), to materials degradation issues (e.g. corrosion and oxidation), and in materials synthesis (e.g. electrodeposition). To unravel these processes, in-situ ec-S/TEM, a nanoscale characterization technique, was recently developed to permit detailed site-specific characterization of evolving electrochemical processes that occur at electrode-electrolyte interfaces in their native electrolyte environment, in real time and at high-spatial resolution. This approach utilizes “closed-form” microfabricated electrochemical cells that couple the capability for quantitative electrochemical measurements with high spatial and temporal resolution imaging, spectroscopy, and diffraction. In this article, we review the state-of-the-art instrumentation for in-situ ec-S/TEM and how this approach has resulted in new observations of electrochemical processes.