In situ micro-FTIR study of the solid–solid interface between lithium electrode and polymer electrolytes

In situ micro-FTIR spectroscopy was explored to characterize the solid–solid interface between lithium electrode and polymer electrolytes. The cyclic voltammetric (CV) results indicated that the reduction reactions of oxygen and water as well as the formation of underpotential deposition (UPD) Li occur in the Li/PEO20-LiN(CF3SO2)2 electrolyte interface in the different potential region. The infrared spectral changes observed during the CV process revealed that there is a direct correlation between the CV peaks and the magnitude of the infrared peaks. It is shown that the infrared reflectivity from the solid–solid interface is very sensitive to the formation of the passive layer on the lithium electrodes. The results obtained from optical micrographs also displayed directly the formation of the passive layer along with lithium deposition and dissolution process. It is correlated well with in situ FTIR and electrochemical experiments.