Deformable interfaces, atomic force microscopy

The theoretical value of the stress generated at the contact interface between the electrodeposited active material and substrate was calculated to obtain the order of magnitude of the stress generated by lithiation. As it has been reported from previous studies,the actual electrode is not a uniform material and is expected to contain and/or form voids and cracks with lithiation. It has also been shown by in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) observations that the electrode experiences plastic deformation, and the thickness of the electrode changes irreversibly to some extent with the lithiation and delithiation process. Because of such indeterminate nature of the assumptions, the absolute value of the calculated stress is not the subject of discussion. 

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