Peak position differences observed during XPS sputter depth profiling of the SEI on lithiated and delithiated carbon-based anode material for Li-ion batteries
In XPS measurements at graphite anodes for Li-ion batteries specific binding energy variations are observed for the SEI species. The binding energy variations depend on the charging state of the graphite and not on surface charging effects. Obviously the presence of elemental Li leads to a potential surface gradient in contact with surface layers. The energy position of implanted Ar can be used as characteristic feature during sputter depth profiling experiments.