Progress of electrode/electrolyte interfacial investigation of Li-ion batteries via in situ scanning probe microscopy

The electrode/electrolyte interface plays a critical role in the performance of a Li-ion battery. In view of the dynamic and complex nature of the interface, in situ research approaches can provide valuable information of interfacial phenomena during battery operation. In situ scanning probe microscopy (SPM) is a powerful technique used for the interfacial investigation of the Li-ion batteries. The versatile SPM techniques and their various operation modes have been utilized to measure the morphology and other properties of the electrode interface at high resolution. Herein, we discuss the related SPM techniques to study the topography, mechanics and electrochemistry research of electrodes. Recent progresses of in situ SPM research on the electrode/electrolyte interface are summarized. Finally, the outlook of the technique is discussed.