In-situ imaging the electrochemical reactions of Li-CO_(2) nanobatteries at high temperatures in an aberration corrected environmental transmission electron microscope

Rechargeable lithium-carbon dioxide(Li-CO_(2))batteries have attracted much attention due to their high theoretical energy densities and capture of C0_(2).However,the electrochemical reaction mechanisms of rechargeable Lo-CO_(2) batteries,particularly the decomposition mechanisms of the discharge product Li_(2)CO_(3) are still unclear,impeding their practical applications.Exploring electrochemistry of Li_(2)CO_(3) is critical for improving the performance of Li-C0_(2) batteries.Herein,in-situ environmental transmission electron microscopy(ETEM)technique was used to study electrochemistry of Li_(2)CO_(3) in Li-C0_(2) batteries during discharge and charge processes.During discharge,Li_(2)CO_(3) was nucleated and accumulated on the surface of the cathode media such as carbon nanotubes(CNTs)and Ag nanowires(Ag NWs),but it was hard to decompose during charging at room temperature.To promote the decomposition of Li2C03,the charge reactions were conducted at high temperatures,during which Li_(2)CO_(3) was decomposed to lithium with release of gases.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations revealed that the synergistic effect of temperature and biasing facilitates the decomposition of Li_(2)CO_(3).This study not only provides a fundamental understanding to the high temperature Li-C0_(2) nanobatteries,but also offers a valid technique,i.e.,discharging/charging at high temperatures,to improve the cyclability of Li-CO_(2) batteries for energy storage applications.