Operando characterization and regulation of metal dissolution and redeposition dynamics near battery electrode surface

Operando synchrotron experiments reveal the Mn dissolution/redeposition dynamics in Mn-containing cathodes and offer insights into the regulation of Mn dissolution using ion-capturing polymers. Mn dissolution has been a long-standing, ubiquitous issue that negatively impacts the performance of Mn-based battery materials. Mn dissolution involves complex chemical and structural transformations at the electrode-electrolyte interface. The continuously evolving electrode-electrolyte interface has posed great challenges for characterizing the dynamic interfacial process and quantitatively establishing the correlation with battery performance. In this study, we visualize and quantify the temporally and spatially resolved Mn dissolution/redeposition (D/R) dynamics of electrochemically operating Mn-containing cathodes. The particle-level and electrode-level analyses reveal that the D/R dynamics is associated with distinct interfacial degradation mechanisms at different states of charge. Our results statistically differentiate the contributions of surface reconstruction and Jahn-Teller distortion to the Mn dissolution at different operating voltages. Introducing sulfonated polymers (Nafion) into composite electrodes can modulate the D/R dynamics by trapping the dissolved Mn species and rapidly establishing local Mn D/R equilibrium. This work represents an inaugural effort to pinpoint the chemical and structural transformations responsible for Mn dissolution via an operando synchrotron study and develops an effective method to regulate Mn interfacial dynamics for improving battery performance.

Automated summary

Operando synchrotron experiments provide insights into the Mn dissolution/redeposition dynamics in Mn-containing cathodes and demonstrate the effectiveness of ion-capturing polymers in regulating Mn interfacial dynamics. Mn dissolution is a major issue that negatively affects the performance of Mn-based battery materials. This study visualizes and quantifies the dynamic Mn dissolution/redeposition process in Mn-containing cathodes and identifies the contributions of different interfacial degradation mechanisms at different states of charge. The introduction of sulfonated polymers (Nafion) into composite electrodes can successfully modulate the Mn dissolution/redeposition dynamics and improve battery performance.