(Invited) Developing the Electrodeposition of High Energy Density Anodes for 3D Architectures for Rechargeable Batteries

Abstract

As Li-ion batteries continue to improve in all metrics, new markets are now opening to portable energy. However, the fundamental challenges are still the same: how do we improve how much energy a particular material can store, how quickly it can charge and discharge safely, while enabling effective communication between all components of a particular cell? It is not sufficient to simply discover and improve new materials, we have to also consider the development of efficient, manufacturable architectures that enable the best performance for a particular material.We are working to incorporate high surface area structures of novel anode materials into a 3D interdigitated solid-state battery architecture. The significant advantage to this architecture is that the diffusion length for Li+between the cathode and anode will be dramatically reduced, which should lead to much faster charging rates. The structure and composition of the anode is critical to the energy density, power density, cycle life, and safety of the overall battery. I will discuss electrodeposited M-Sb (where M = Ni, Cu, Zn) thin films and high surface area structures that have been investigated as alloy anodes for Li-ion batteries to elucidate the effects of both the film composition and substrate interactions on cycling stability and lifetime. The results discussed will demonstrate that important composition and substrate factors for anode cycling performance are being developed that are likely applicable to other systems. A key theme in this work is how to develop materials architectures that not only have attractive properties for the chosen application (energy storage), but that are also ideally suited to elucidating and understanding degradation mechanisms for high energy density materials. I will also discuss my opinions on the need for integrating a big-picture view of manufacturability for applied materials research, as well as the challenges and opportunities in moving research and development from an academic lab into the marketplace.