Transmission electron microscopy study investigating Li intercalation in tunnel structured $\zeta $-V$_{\mathrm{2}}$O$_{\mathrm{5}}$ nanowire

Energy storage research has become quite relevant in recent years with the advent of smarter electronic devices and electric vehicles that demand more efficient options. Orthorhombic $\alpha $-V$_{\mathrm{2}}$O$_{\mathrm{5\thinspace }}$has been known as a versatile intercalation cathode host for lithium and beyond Li cations, such as Na and Mg. Recent reports have established that a novel tunnel structured polymorph, $\zeta $-V$_{\mathrm{2}}$O$_{\mathrm{5}}$ can perform better as a cathode material, and can intercalate Li and Mg chemically. This contribution will focus on an in depth study of phase formation upon electrochemical Li intercalation of this new polymorph, $\zeta $-V$_{\mathrm{2}}$O$_{\mathrm{5}}$ using aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy(STEM) electron energy loss spectroscopy(EELS) and energy dispersive X ray spectroscopy(EDX). Results will also be presented investigating Mg and Na intercalation into this $\zeta $-V$_{\mathrm{2}}$O$_{\mathrm{5\thinspace }}$polymorph and compare the electrochemical performance in the various scenarios directly with structural changes at an atomic scale.