TOF-SIMS analysis of lithium air battery discharge products utilizing gas cluster ion beam sputtering for surface stabilization

TOF‐SIMS investigation on various lithium reference materials has been carried out for the characterization of reaction products on electrodes of lithium air batteries (LAB). In conjunction with argon gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) sputtering which can stabilize the surface of lithium compounds effectively, characteristic secondary ion species have been found for identification and differentiation among them. On the surface of real discharged carbon cathodes of LAB, lithium peroxide and related products were recognized under coexistence of electrolyte components and confirmed by the experiment using 18O2 as reaction gas in the discharging process. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.