Atomic layer deposition of alumina-coated thin-film cathodes for lithium microbatteries

O'Donoghue, Aaron; Shine, Micheál; Povey, Ian M.; Rohan, James F.

Atomic layer deposition of alumina-coated thin-film cathodes for lithium microbatteries

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Files

2023IJMSALDonLCORohan.pdf(2.29 MB)

Published version

Date

2023-07-23

Authors

O'Donoghue, Aaron

Shine, Micheál

Povey, Ian M.

Rohan, James F.

Publisher

MDPI

Published Version

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241311207

Abstract

This work shows the electrochemical performance of sputter-deposited, binder-free lithium cobalt oxide thin films with an alumina coating deposited via atomic layer deposition for use in lithium-metal-based microbatteries. The Al2O3 coating can improve the charge–discharge kinetics and suppress the phase transition that occurs at higher potential limits where the crystalline structure of the lithium cobalt oxide is damaged due to the formation of Co4+, causing irreversible capacity loss. The electrochemical performance of the thin film is analysed by imposing 4.2, 4.4 and 4.5 V upper potential limits, which deliver improved performances for 3 nm of Al2O3, while also highlighting evidence of Al doping. Al2O3-coated lithium cobalt oxide of 3 nm is cycled at 147 µA cm−2 (~2.7 C) to an upper potential limit of 4.4 V with an initial capacity of 132 mAh g−1 (65.7 µAh cm−2 µm−1) and a capacity retention of 87% and 70% at cycle 100 and 400, respectively. This shows the high-rate capability and cycling benefits of a 3 nm Al2O3 coating.

Keywords

Thin-film microbattery , Interface engineering , Cathode doping , Lithium metal anode

Citation

O’Donoghue, A., Shine, M., Povey, I.M. and Rohan, J.F. (2023) ‘Atomic layer deposition of alumina-coated thin-film cathodes for lithium microbatteries’, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(13), p. 11207. Available at: sherpa romeo .