SEM characterization technique for air-sensitive all-solid-state lithium battery materials.

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) is an important tool for investigating the surface morphologies, chemical compositions, and failure mechanisms of functional materials. However, the microstructures of some materials change during the transfer to SEM, resulting in the inability to characterize them accurately because of the air-sensitive nature of the materials (e.g., battery materials and active metals). Herein, we have designed an airtight transfer box that is simple and feasible for the SEM characterization of air-sensitive materials, realizing that air-sensitive materials are not exposed to air throughout the transfer process. In addition, the ratio of the cathode active material to solid-state electrolytes in the composite cathode of all-solid-state lithium batteries is nondestructively investigated using an airtight transfer box, providing theoretical guidance for the design of high-specific energy composite cathodes.