Towards in situ TEM Imaging of polymer energy materials

Abstract

Understanding the intricate structure of polymer materials is crucial for their application in energy-related fields such as catalysis, batteries, and solar cells. This requires comprehensive in situ, operando, and three-dimensional analyses across multiscale domains. While these techniques offer direct observation of molecular deformations and phase transitions, recreating truly representative environments remains challenging. High-resolution TEM imaging is essential for accurately assessing the stability, functionality, and characteristics of polymer energy materials. However, a significant gap persists in replicating real conditions, especially for soft polymer materials. This lecture will explore the efficacy of current three- dimensional structural analysis methods using polymer materials for solar cell and battery applications. We will discuss successful examplesand addressthe improvementsneeded to advance high-resolution in situ/operando TEM imaging.