Scanning Electrochemical Microscopic Analysis on Surface/Interface of the Lithium-Ion Batteries

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), one of the scanning probe microscopy techniques (SPMs), serves to analyze and validate microscopic electrochemical reactions. Scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM), a specific modality within the SECM family, is a specialized technique used to investigate electrochemical reactions. A main feature of SECCM is its ability to create a microdroplet using a glass pipette-based probe filled with electrolyte, serving as an electrochemical cell, enabling localized electrochemical measurements and the acquisition of high-resolution electrochemical imaging. In this chapter, the phenomena of lithium-ion (de)intercalation processes are outlined, along with the principles of operation of SECCM and its various applications, such as lithium-ion battery (LIB) electrodes and solid electrolyte surfaces/interfaces. The SECCM results have the potential to provide new insights into materials design of LIBs, since the electrochemical properties of each region are obtained in a spatially resolved manner. Additionally, it presents empirical findings from measurements conducted in these situations.