Operando Imaging-Guided Gradient Design for High-Mass-loading Cathodes
Scientific Achievement
Directly visualized Li reaction gradients in thick, high-mass-loading all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) cathodes. A Li⁺ flux–guided gradient catholyte design was developed, enabling superior rate capability.
Significance and Impact
This work provides the first direct evidence of Li⁺ flux mismatch in thick solid-state cathodes and offers a scalable design principle to overcome it.
Research Details
A 33 mg/cm² NMC811 cathode was monitored using operando neutron imaging. Lithiation inhomogeneity from the solid electrolyte (SE) side to the current collector was observed. A three-layer cathode—graded in SE content from high to low—significantly improved rate performance for NMC811 and lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) cathodes, with up to 171% capacity gain at high current.
Operando Neutron Imaging-Guided Gradient Design of Li-ion Solid Conductor for High-Mass-loading Cathodes,“ Nature Communications, 16 (7667) (2025)
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62518-y
