As we all know, although lithium-ion batteries have been widely used, the scarcity of lithium resources forces people to explore alternatives. Among them, sodium-ion batteries are considered to be a promising alternative. However, the large radius of Na (1.02 Å) is easy to cause the volume expansion and fragmentation of the electrode material and the irreversible transport of sodium ions in the negative electrode material, resulting in the destruction of the electrode material, poor cycle stability and unsatisfactory rate performance. Therefore, it is imperative to explore suitable anode materials to accelerate the commercial application of sodium ion batteries.

Recently, the Gao Yihua team of Huazhong University of Science and Technology studied the morphology, structural evolution, electrochemical reaction and mechanical properties of antimony oxide nanoribbons through in-situ transmission electron microscopy. In the study, Sb2O3 nanoribbons exhibited an ultra-fast curing rate and experienced three stages of curing reactions: NaxSb2O3 generation by intercalation reaction, Sb generation by conversion reaction and NaSb generation by alloying reaction. These studies provide a theoretical basis for improving the electrochemical and mechanical properties of sodium ion batteries through rational design. The relevant research results were published in the international journal Small Methods under the title "Investigations on the Electrochemical and Mechanical Properties of Sb2O3 Nanobelts by In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy. Dr. Zheng Yifan is the first author of the article, and Professor Gao Yihua and Associate Professor Zhang Zhi are co-corresponding authors.

Original Link: https://doi.org/10.1002/smtd.202101416.

Figure 1 In-situ Experimental Method

This experiment uses the PicoFemto of Zeyu Technology®The in-situ TEM-STM electrical measurement system built an in-situ test platform for sodium ion batteries in the transmission electron microscope, which not only tested the electrochemical properties of the batteries in situ, but also explored the mechanical properties of Sb2O3 nanobelts using the three-dimensional manipulator of the sample rod.

Fig. 2 In-situ Observation of Battery Charge and Discharge Process

Fig. 3 High Resolution Structure Characterization in Nanodization Process

Fig. 4 Nanodization Mechanism Diagram

Figure 5 In-situ mechanical performance characterization

Figure 6 In-situ sample rod used in the experiment