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Contributed Speaker

Nikolas Franke

Department of Physics and Astronomy “Augusto Righi”, University of Bologna, Italy

Modulated Electrochemical AFM for Nanoscale Analysis of Ion Intercalation in Battery Materials

 

Understanding local ion transport at battery electrode-electrolyte interfaces is essential for optimizing next-generation energy storage materials. In this talk, I present our recent work applying modulated electrochemical atomic force microscopy (mEC-AFM) as a powerful tool for investigating ion intercalation dynamics in sodium-ion and lithium-ion battery systems. mEC-AFM is a novel technique that combines electrochemical control with AC modulation to locally probe electrochemical strain caused by ion insertion, offering the possibility to effectively investigate ion intercalation mechanisms and pathways at the nanoscale.

We applied mEC-AFM to LiMn₂O₄ cathodes for lithium-ion batteries and hard carbon (HC) anodes for sodium-ion batteries. By embedding and preparing a cross section of the electrodes, we effectively reduced the solid electrolyte interface area, enabling localized mEC-AFM imaging. At elevated potentials (>1 V vs. Na/Na + ), where no sodium‑ion intercalation into the HC particles occurs, our measurements reveal sodium insertion in the softer binder regions, pointing to the binder's significant role in ionic transport in these systems.

Our study of these systems underscores the power of mEC-AFM for resolving nanoscale ion transport in battery electrodes and provides a compelling case for its broader adoption in energy materials research. The work also demonstrates the synergy between advanced AFM instrumentation and cutting-edge electrochemical applications.

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