Understanding the reaction pathway and kinetics of solid-state phase transformation is critical in designing advanced electrode materials with better performance and stability. Despite the first-order phase transition with a large lattice mismatch between the involved phases, spinel LiMn_1.5Ni_0.5O₄ is capable of fast rate even at large particle size, presenting an enigma yet to be understood. The present study uses advanced two-dimensional and three-dimensional nano-tomography on a series of well-formed Li_xMn_1.5Ni_0.5O₄ (0≤x≤1) crystals to visualize the mesoscale phase distribution, as a function of Li content at the sub-particle level. Inhomogeneity along with the coexistence of Li-rich and Li-poor phases are broadly observed on partially delithiated crystals, providing direct evidence for a concurrent nucleation and growth process instead of a shrinking-core or a particle-by-particle process. Superior kinetics of (100) facets at the vertices of truncated octahedral particles promote preferential delithiation, whereas the observation of strain-induced cracking suggests mechanical degradation in the material.

Nanoscale full-field (FF) transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM) and ensemble-averaged soft X-ray absorption spectroscopy (soft XAS) were used to investigate state-of-charge (SOC) heterogeneities in electrochemically charged or discharged and chemically oxidized samples of LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 cathode materials. We observed considerable and similar non-uniformities in terms of Ni oxidation states (and, by proxy, lithium distributions) for all the samples in the bulk. Therefore, the chemically delithiated samples are similar to the electrochemically charged samples in terms of mesoscale charge heterogeneity in large polycrystalline particle ensembles. However, the gradient oxidation states of transition metals on the surface, which is partly responsible for the electrode degradation mechanism known as surface reconstruction, is much less apparent in chemically delithiated samples. Chemical delithiation is extensively used in preparation of charged cathodes free of inactive components for fundamental battery studies. The surface chemistry and bulk lithium distribution of chemically delithiated samples may not accurately represent the electrochemically charged materials in a real battery. In our work, bulk and surface-sensitive characterization techniques were used to investigate the differences between chemically and electrochemically delithiated layered cathode materials. The two types of materials show similar bulk lithium distributions but distinctly different surface chemistries. The present study not only strongly implies that the electrolytic solution is an active participant in the reactions that lead to the surface reconstruction to a rock salt structure observed in layered oxide cathode materials, but also develops a chemical basis for understanding and improving charge homogeneity across the length scale of secondary particles. Both chemical and electrochemical delithiation methods lead to state-of-charge non-uniformity in the bulk of layered transition metal oxide cathode particles. Less surface reconstruction to rock salt is observed for chemically delithiated samples compared with electrochemically delithiated ones. This indicates that electrolytic solution plays a significant role in the surface reconstruction phenomenon.

Developing fundamental insight for reactions between gas phase H2S and solid phase CuO has the potential to lead to improved materials and processes for natural gas purification. However, this insight requires detailed knowledge of the atomistic characteristics of the solid and how these characteristics influence the reaction mechanism and kinetics. Herein, we use fixed bed reactors, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and transmission X-ray microscopy to simultaneously probe the fundamental kinetics of the reaction of CuO with H2S to form CuS, and thereby probe spatialoral chemical and structural changes of copper during this reaction. H2S removal reaction kinetics show similar trends in fixed bed reactors as in 10-20 μm sized particles. However, reaction fronts proceed through the entire diameter of particles heterogeneously, indicating the presence of pore diffusion resistance even at very small length scales. In addition, CuO sorbent samples with similar characteristics exhibit 3 times different sulfidation conversion with reaction rate constants that differ by a factor of 1.5. These differences in reaction kinetics and conversion indicate the critical impact of possible atomic scale differences and the formation of different copper sulfide products.

Understanding how structural and chemical transformations take place in particles under thermal conditions can inform designing thermally robust electrode materials. Such a study necessitates the use of diagnostic techniques that are capable of probing the transformations at multiple length scales and at different states of charge (SOC). In this study, the thermal behavior of LiNi_0.6Mn_0.2Co_0.2O₂ (NMC-622) was examined as a function of SOC, using an array of bulk and surface-sensitive techniques. In general, thermal stability decreases as lithium content is lowered and conversion in the bulk to progressively reduced metal oxides (spinels, rock salt) occurs as the temperature is raised. Hard X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray Raman spectroscopy (XRS) experiments, which probe the bulk, reveal that Ni and Co are eventually reduced when partially delithiated samples (regardless of the SOC) are heated, although Mn is not. Surface-sensitive synchrotron techniques, such as soft XAS and transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM), however, reveal that for 50% delithiated samples, apparent oxidation of nickel occurs at particle surfaces under some circumstances. This is partially compensated by reduction of cobalt but may also be a consequence of redistribution of lithium ions upon heating. TXM results indicate the movement of reduced nickel ions into particle interiors or oxidized nickel ions to the surface or both. These experiments illustrate the complexity of the thermal behavior of NMC cathode materials. The study also informs the importance of investigating the surface and bulk difference as a function of SOC when studying the thermal behaviors of battery materials.

Nickel-rich layered materials are emerging as cathodes of choice for next-generation high energy density lithium ion batteries intended for electric vehicles. This is because of their higher practical capacities compared to compositions with lower Ni content, as well as the potential for lower raw materials cost. The higher practical capacity of these materials comes at the expense of shorter cycle life, however, due to undesirable structure and chemical transformations, especially at particle surfaces. To understand these changes more fully, the charge compensation mechanism and bulk and surface structural changes of LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 were probed using synchrotron techniques and electron energy loss spectroscopy in this study. In the bulk, both the crystal and electronic structure changes are reversible upon cycling to high voltages, whereas particle surfaces undergo significant reduction and structural reconstruction. While Ni is the major contributor to charge compensation, Co and O (through transition metal-oxygen hybridization) are also redox active. An important finding from depth-dependent transition metal L-edge and O K-edge X-ray spectroscopy is that oxygen redox activity exhibits depth-dependent characteristics. This likely drives the structural and chemical transformations observed at particle surfaces in Ni-rich materials.