Functional electron microscopy for electrochemistry research: From the atomic to the micro scale

A number of remarkable breakthroughs in aberration correction in the transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) have opened possibilities for sub-angstrom characterization of materials, both from structural and chemical points of view. These electrochemical measurement platforms can be subdivided into two categories, an open cell electrical biasing platform and a closed electrochemical cell platform. STEM/ electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) directly probes a broad range of parameters related to the electrochemical state of the system, including local atomic configurations, bond length and angles and valence states and orbital populations of atoms on the individual column level. In situ liquid cell microscopy is a rapidly emerging in situ S/TEM based characterization technique that allows for the direct imaging and analysis of liquid phase phenomena at high spatial and temporal resolution. This method utilizes microfabricated silicon microchip devices to encapsulate thin layers of liquid electrolyte between electron transparent silicon nitride membranes. In situ liquid cell microscopy is a rapidly emerging in situ S/TEM based characterization technique that allows for the direct imaging and analysis of liquid phase phenomena at high spatial and temporal resolution.19 This method utilizes microfabricated silicon microchip devices to encapsulate thin layers of liquid electrolyte between electron transparent silicon nitride membranes.

Duke Scholars

Author Miaofang Chi Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materia ...