Atomic evolution of hydrogen intercalation wave dynamics in palladium nanocrystals

Solute-intercalation-induced phase separation creates spatial heterogeneities in host materials, a phenomenon ubiquitous in batteries, hydrogen storage, and other energy devices. Despite many efforts, probing intercalation processes at the atomic scale has been a significant challenge. We study hydrogen (de)intercalation in palladium nanocrystals as a model system and achieve atomic-resolution imaging of hydrogen intercalation wave dynamics by utilizing liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy. Our observations reveal that intercalation wave mechanisms, instead of shrinking-core mechanisms, prevail at ambient temperature for palladium nanocubes ranging from ~60 nm down to ~10 nm. We uncover the atomic evolution of hydrogen intercalation wave transitioning from non-planar and inclined boundaries to those closely aligned with {100} planes. Our kinetic Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate the observed intercalation wave dynamics correspond to sorption pathways minimizing the lattice mismatch strain at the phase boundary. Unveiling the atomic intercalation pathways holds profound implications for engineering intercalation-mediated devices and advancements in energy sciences.