Meng Qi, Zhuang Yuanlin, Jiang Renhui, Meng Shuang, Wang Zhengzhou, Li Lei, Zhang Ying, Jia Shuangfeng, Zhao Peili, Zheng He, Wang Jianbo
School of Physics and Technology, Center for Electron Microscopy, MOE Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-structures, and Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
Suzhou Institute of Wuhan University, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China.
J Phys Chem Lett. 2021 Apr 1;12(12):3114-3119. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c00132. Epub 2021 Mar 23.
The phase instability in layered-structure NaWO induced by the extraction of Na ions was investigated by applying transmission electron microscopy. Real-time atomic-scale observation reveals the phase transition pathway: NaWO (triclinic) → NaWO (cubic) → WO (monoclinic) with specific orientation relationships. The dynamic evolution of NaWO/NaWO phase boundaries shows that NaWO will cleave along the (100) and (010) and recrystallize as (101) and (010) of NaWO, respectively. The phase transition pathway can be well-explained according to the structural characteristics in the three phases. By better understanding of the phase instability induced by the extraction of Na ions in possible layered-structure cathode materials, this work provides a reference for the design of sophisticated strategies toward high-performance Na-ion batteries.
