| AVS 63rd International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Manufacturing Science and Technology | Monday Sessions |
| Session MS-MoM |
| Session: | Manufacturing for Next-Generation Energy Solutions |
| Presenter: | Chuan-Fu Lin, Institute for System Research, University of Maryland |
| Authors: | C. Lin, Institute for System Research, University of Maryland M. Noked, Institute for System Research, University of Maryland A.C. Kozen, Naval Research Laboratory A.J. Pearse, University of Maryland, College Park K. Gregorczyk, Institute for System Research, University of Maryland S.B. Lee, University of Maryland College Park G. Rubloff, Institute for System Research, University of Maryland |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
To meet the demand for higher capacity longer life batteries in a “next-generation batteries” technology, anodes with substantially higher energy density than current graphite are needed. One class - metal anodes (particularly Li) - offers far higher energy density, but to date their utilization has been impeded by their high surface reactivity (especially to the organic electrolyte) and tendency to form dendritic Li (a shorting and safety hazard). Another category - conversion materials, also high energy density – involves complex material reactions as part of lithiation/delithiation, degrading the material during cycling.
We have used atomic layer deposition (ALD) to create highly controlled, thin protective layers on Li metal anodes and on RuO2 conversion anodes, testing their efficacy by cycling in batteries. ALD protection layers, including Al2O3 and the solid electrolyte LiPON (lithium phosphous oxynitride), were directly deposited on the anodes in controlled inert ambient conditions. For Li metal anode protection, both Al2O3 and LiPON markedly suppress corrosion and degradation, as evaluated in Li-S cells by charge/discharge cycling and a variety of other characterization methods, with considerably higher capacity for the LiPON. The ALD films also stabilize the Li metal surface, preventing Li dendrite formation upon repeated cycling above the threshold current density for dendrite formation. For the conversion anode, the ALD coatings suppress electrolyte decomposition, thereby enhancing capacity retention during cycling, and lowering overpotentials required for delithiation, effects attributed to the layers mechanically constraining the RuO2 the lithiation products Li2O and Ru, preserving structural integrity.
These results demonstrate promise for achieving high energy density anodes with significantly enhanced chemical stability, electrochemical cyclability, and dendrite protection as needed for a viable beyond Li ion battery technology.