Figure 3: Experimental and numerical results of electrode fracture.
From: Failure mechanisms of single-crystal silicon electrodes in lithium-ion batteries
Cross-sectional focused ion beam (FIB)-scanning electron microscope (SEM) images (left column) and corresponding finite element method (FEM) results (middle and right columns) of a Si(100) electrode obtained after (a) 3, (b) 8, (c) 30 and (d) 50 lithiation/delithiation cycles. The FIB-SEM images show crack growth through the electrode thickness followed by crack deflection and propagation along the lithiation boundary (lithiated/unlithiated interface). The FEM results show the equivalent plastic strain 
after lithiation and the maximum principal stress σmax after delithiation, illustrating crack initiation, propagation through the electrode thickness and lateral deflection along the lithiation boundary for different lithiation/delithiation cycles. Scale bar, 0.5 μm (a); 3 μm (b–d).
