Lithium-ion supply electrode for real-time microscopic analysis and manufacturing method thereof

Lithium supply electrode for microscopic analysis with oxidation prevention via metal protective layer and focused ion beam processing

This technology involves forming a lithium layer on a solid electrolyte layer, depositing a metal protective layer to prevent lithium oxidation, and using a focused ion beam (FIB) device to process it into a micro-electrode. This ensures that the lithium remains unoxidized even when exposed to external air, enabling real-time transmission electron microscopy analysis.

Conventional lithium-ion supply electrodes suffer from immediate oxidation upon air exposure, which degrades the lithium-ion conductivity required for analysis. Other technical limitations include vibration issues caused by the need to place glove boxes near microscopes, as well as reduced image clarity and solidification risks associated with liquid electrolytes.

By adopting a stacked structure of solid electrolyte/lithium layer/metal protective layer (Cu, Au, Ag, Ni, etc.) to block lithium oxidation, this technology can be integrated into secondary battery electrolytes, contributing to process simplification and cost reduction.

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Key Features:

• An electrode comprising a solid electrolyte layer containing a solid electrolyte and a lithium layer formed thereon containing lithium
• A protective layer formed on the lithium layer, composed of metal to prevent lithium oxidation
• A structure where the cross-sectional area parallel to the lithium layer decreases as the solid electrolyte layer moves further away from the lithium layer
• Manufacturing steps involving the formation of the lithium layer and protective layer under inert gas conditions, followed by processing into a micro-electrode using a focused ion beam

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