Perspectives in in situ transmission electron microscopy studies on lithium battery electrodes

In situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has emerged as a promising characterization tool for the observation of nanoscale processes in lithium ion batteries. TEM offers direct visualization of lithiation during electrochemical reaction combined with atomic spatial and temporal resolution imaging, selected area diffraction (SAD), electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). This review highlights recent progress on in situ TEM studies on lithium ion battery electrodes associated with open and closed cell configurations. The advantages and challenges of each cell configuration are addressed. These techniques allow for new discoveries and a better fundamental understanding of energy related technologies.