In situ and operando investigation of the dynamic morphological and phase changes of a selenium-doped germanium electrode during (de)lithiation processes

To understand the effect of selenium doping on the good cycling performance and rate capability of a Ge_0.9Se_0.1 electrode, the dynamic morphological and phase changes of the Ge_0.9Se_0.1 electrode were investigated by synchrotron-based operando transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM) imaging, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The TXM results show that the Ge_0.9Se_0.1 particle retains its original shape after a large volume change induced by (de)lithiation and undergoes a more sudden morphological and optical density change than pure Ge. The difference between Ge_0.9Se_0.1 and Ge is attributed to a super-ionically conductive Li-Se-Ge network formed inside Ge_0.9Se_0.1 particles, which contributes to fast Li-ion pathways into the particle and nano-structuring of Ge as well as buffering the volume change of Ge. The XRD and XAS results confirm the formation of a Li-Se-Ge network and reveal that the Li-Se-Ge phase forms during the early stages of lithiation and is an inactive phase. The Li-Se-Ge network also can suppress the formation of the crystalline Li₁₅Ge₄ phase. These in situ and operando results reveal the effect of the in situ formed, super-ionically conductive, and inactive network on the cycling performance of Li-ion batteries and shed light on the design of high capacity electrode materials.  © 2019 The Royal Society of Chemistry.