Lithium-Assisted Electrochemical
Welding in Silicon
Nanowire Battery Electrodes
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Abstract
From in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations,
we present direct evidence of lithium-assisted welding between physically
contacted silicon nanowires (SiNWs) induced by electrochemical lithiation
and delithiation. This electrochemical weld between two SiNWs demonstrates
facile transport of lithium ions and electrons across the interface.
From our in situ observations, we estimate the shear strength of the
welded region after delithiation to be approximately 200 MPa, indicating
that a strong bond is formed at the junction of two SiNWs. This welding
phenomenon could help address the issue of capacity fade in nanostructured
silicon battery electrodes, which is typically caused by fracture
and detachment of active materials from the current collector. The
process could provide for more robust battery performance either through
self-healing of fractured components that remain in contact or through
the formation of a multiconnected network architecture