A transmission electron microscopy study of crack formation and propagation in electrochemically cycled graphite electrode in lithium-ion cells

► Subsurface damage in graphite subjected to CV tests (vs. Li/Li+) investigated using FIB and HR-TEM. ► Graphite layers exhibited delamination/exfoliation by forming interlayer cracks. ► Deposition of solid electrolyte layers observed at the crack tip likely reduced the crack growth rate. ► Graphite layers acted as fibres bridging crack faces.