Exploring Intercalation Chemistry of Graphite Negative Electrode in Lithium-Ion Batteries under Various Electrolytes: A Comprehensive Experiment for Undergraduates Based on X-ray Diffraction Characterization

To stimulate students’ research interest, cultivate their innovative abilities and enhance their data analysis skills, a comprehensive three-week experiment based on X-ray diffraction (XRD) is designed by integrating instrumental analysis chemistry course content with frontiers of scientific research. In lithium-ion batteries, the structural integrity of the graphite negative electrode determines the reversibility of lithium-ion batteries. Structural damage caused by solvent cointercalation leads to rapid capacity loss of battery. In this advanced independent comprehensive experiment, XRD is used to investigate and assess the impact of electrolytes on solvent cointercalation into graphite electrodes by analyzing the structural changes of graphite electrodes before and after charge–discharge cycles in three representative electrolyte systems. This course not only deepens students’ understanding of XRD instrument and improves their XRD data analysis capabilities but also enables them to acquire fundamental principles underlying secondary battery technologies, thereby promoting knowledge acquisition, skill development, and innovative thinking.