Browsing by Author "Zhang, Xingyu"
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- PublicationOpen AccessHigh-resolution electron tomography of ultrathin Boerdijk-Coxeter-Bernal nanowire enabled by super-thin metal surface coating(Wiley, 2022)
;Song, Xiaohui ;Zhang, Xingyu ;Chang, Qiang ;Yao, Xin ;Li, Mufan ;Zhang, Ruopeng ;Liu, Xiaotao ;Song, Chengyu ;Ng, Angel Yun Xin; Ou, ZihaoThe rapid advancement of transmission electron microscopy has resulted in revolutions in a variety of fields, including physics, chemistry, and materials science. With single-atom resolution, 3D information of each atom in nanoparticles is revealed, while 4D electron tomography is shown to capture the atomic structural kinetics in metal nanoparticles after phase transformation. Quantitative measurements of physical and chemical properties such as chemical coordination, defects, dislocation, and local strain have been made. However, due to the incompatibility of high dose rate with other ultrathin morphologies, such as nanowires, atomic electron tomography has been primarily limited to quasi-spherical nanoparticles. Herein, the 3D atomic structure of a complex core–shell nanowire composed of an ultrathin Boerdijk–Coxeter–Bernal (BCB) core nanowire and a noble metal thin layer shell deposited on the BCB nanowire surface is discovered. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that a new superthin noble metal layer deposition on an ultrathin BCB nanowire could mitigate electron beam damage using an in situ transmission electron microscope and atomic resolution electron tomography. The colloidal coating method developed for electron tomography can be broadly applied to protect the ultrathin nanomaterials from electron beam damage, benefiting both the advanced material characterizations and enabling fundamental in situ mechanistic studies.WOS© Citations 4Scopus© Citations 5 58 28 - PublicationMetadata onlyInvestigating the expansion behavior of silicon nanoparticles and the effects of electrolyte composition using a graphene liquid cell(Elsevier, 2024)
;Yang, Dahai ;Huang, Rui ;Zou, Bolin ;Zhang, Xingyu; ;Wang, Yong ;Sun, Yi ;Xiang, HongfaSong, XiaohuiUnderstanding the volume expansion behavior of Si anodes and their interaction with electrolyte environments is crucial for developing high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This study utilizes a graphene liquid cell for in situ imaging to systematically investigate the volume expansion and etching behavior of Si anode nanoparticles in different electrolyte environments. Comparative experiments on Si@C core-shell nanoparticles assess their volume expansion dynamics. The findings reveal significant variation in the expansion rate of nano Si depending on the electrolyte environment, with chemical etching observed under specific conditions. Conversely, Si@C core-shell structures show mitigated expansion due to the confinement effect of the carbon matrix. Battery performance experiments validate these results, demonstrating the excellent cycling stability of Si@C anodes. Various coating agents are explored to optimize Si@C structures, with dopamine thin layer coating exhibiting the best cycling stability. This study offers fundamental insights into Si anode expansion, electrolyte effects, and carbon coating impacts, advancing LIB technology.8 - PublicationOpen AccessQuantifying the morphology evolution of lithium battery materials using operando electron microscopy(2023)
;Chang, Qiang ;Ng, Angel Yun Xin ;Yang, Dahai ;Chen, Junhao ;Liang, Tong ;Chen, Sheng ;Zhang, Xingyu ;Ou, Zihao ;Kim, Juyeong; ;Xiang, HongfaSong, XiaohuiWith the increase in dependence on renewable energy sources, interest in energy storage systems has increased, particularly with solar cells, redox flow batteries, and lithium batteries. Multiple diagnostic techniques have been utilized to characterize various factors in relation to the battery performance. Electrochemical tests were used to study the energy density, capacity, cycle life, rate, and other related properties. Furthermore, it is critical to correlate the information collected from the characterization of materials to its properties while functioning for advanced batteries. In situ and operando electron microscopy methods are specifically designed to conduct such characterization, and analysis was found to be the best method to achieve that objective. However, the characterization information collected varies according to the types of electron microscopy techniques. Also, the use of complementary analytical techniques further provides a more comprehensive study of these different characterizations, giving insights into the morphology-performance relationship of battery materials and interfaces. Within this review, the focus is on in situ and operando electron microscopy characterization of battery materials, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cryogenic transmission electron microscopy (Cryo-TEM), and three-dimensional (3D) electron tomography. This review aims to cover both advanced electron microscopy imaging techniques and their applications in the characterization of battery materials involving cathode, anode, and separator and solid electrolyte interphase (SEI). The review discusses a range of advanced electron microscopy techniques, including TEM, SEM, and atomic force microscopy, as well as associated analytical techniques such as energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy. The use of these techniques has led to significant advances in our understanding of battery materials, including the identification of new phases and structures, the study of interface properties, and the characterization of defects and degradation mechanisms. Future perspectives on these advanced electron microscopy techniques and opportunities are also discussed. Overall, this review highlights the importance of electron microscopy in battery research and the potential for these techniques to drive future advancements in the field.WOS© Citations 10Scopus© Citations 13 35 7 - PublicationMetadata onlyRevealing microscopic dynamics: In situ liquid-phase TEM for live observations of soft materials and quantitative analysis via deep learning(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2024)
;Sun, Yangyang ;Zhang, Xingyu ;Huang, Rui ;Yang, Dahai ;Kim, Juyeong ;Chen, Junhao; ;Li, Mufan ;Li, LinSong, XiaohuiIn various domains spanning materials synthesis, chemical catalysis, life sciences, and energy materials, in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods exert a profound influence. These methodologies enable the real-time observation and manipulation of gas-phase and liquid-phase reactions at the nanoscale, facilitating the exploration of pivotal reaction mechanisms. Fundamental research areas like crystal nucleation, growth, etching, and self-assembly have greatly benefited from these techniques. Additionally, their applications extend across diverse fields such as catalysis, batteries, bioimaging, and drug delivery kinetics. However, the intricate nature of ‘soft matter’ presents a challenge due to the unique molecular properties and dynamic behavior of these substances that remain insufficiently understood. Investigating soft matter within in situ liquid-phase TEM settings demands further exploration and advancement compared to other research domains. This research harnesses the potential of in situ liquid-phase TEM technology while integrating deep learning methodologies to comprehensively analyze the quantitative aspects of soft matter dynamics. This study centers on diverse phenomena, encompassing surfactant molecule nucleation, block copolymer behavior, confinement-driven self-assembly, and drying processes. Furthermore, deep learning techniques are employed to precisely analyze Ostwald ripening and digestive ripening dynamics. The outcomes of this study not only deepen the understanding of soft matter at its fundamental level but also serve as a pivotal foundation for developing innovative functional materials and cutting-edge devices.Scopus© Citations 2 14 - PublicationMetadata onlyUnderstanding ZIF particle chemical etching dynamics and morphology manipulation: In situ liquid phase electron microscopy and 3D electron tomography application(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2023)
;Chang, Qiang ;Yang, Dahai ;Zhang, Xingyu ;Ou, Zihao ;Kim, Juyeong ;Liang, Tong ;Chen, Junhao ;Cheng, Sheng ;Cheng, Lixun ;Ge, Binghui; ;Xiang, Hongfa ;Li, MufanSong, XiaohuiIn situ liquid phase transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and three-dimensional electron tomography are powerful tools for investigating the growth mechanism of MOFs and understanding the factors that influence their particle morphology. However, their combined application to the study of MOF etching dynamics is limited due to the challenges of the technique such as sample preparation, limited field of view, low electron density, and data analysis complexity. In this research, we present a study employing in situ liquid phase TEM to investigate the etching mechanism of colloidal zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) nanoparticles. The etching process involves two distinct stages, resulting in the development of porous structures as well as partially and fully hollow morphologies. The etching process is induced by exposure to an acid solution, and both in situ and ex situ experiments demonstrate that the outer layer etches faster leading to overall volume shrinking (stage I) while the inner layer etches faster giving a hollow morphology (stage II), although both the outer layer and inner layer have been etched in the whole process. 3D electron tomography was used to quantify the properties of the hollow structures which show that the ZIF-67 crystal etching rate is larger than that of the ZIF-8 crystal at the same pH value. This study provides valuable insights into MOF particle morphology control and can lead to the development of novel MOF-based materials with tailored properties for various applications.WOS© Citations 2Scopus© Citations 3 15