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Towards high-energy and durable lithium-ion batteries via atomic layer deposition: elegantly atomic-scale material design and surface modification
This content has been downloaded from IOPscience. Please scroll down to see the full text. 2015 Nanotechnology 26 020501 (http://iopscience.iop.org/0957-4484/26/2/020501) View the table of contents for this issue, or go to the journal homepage for more Download details: IP Address: 132.239.1.231 This content was downloaded on 15/06/2017 at 16:44 Please note that terms and conditions apply.
You may also be interested in: Elegant design of electrode and electrode/electrolyte interface in lithium-ion batteries by atomic layer deposition Jian Liu and Xueliang Sun Atomic layer deposition of lithium phosphates as solid-state electrolytes for all-solid-state microbatteries Biqiong Wang, Jian Liu, Qian Sun et al. Oxide materials as positive electrodes of lithium-ion batteries Elena V Makhonina, Vladislav S Pervov and Valeriya S Dubasova Plasma processes in the preparation of lithium-ion battery electrodes and separators J Nava-Avendaño and J Veilleux Fabrication of 3D patterned electrodes for micro lithium-ion batteries Hirokazu Munakata, Kazuomi Yoshima and Kiyoshi Kanamura Carbon-decorated Li4Ti5O12/rutile TiO2 mesoporous microspheres with nanostructures as high-performance anode material in lithium-ion batteries Lin Gao, Rujun Liu, Hao Hu et al. Three-dimensional SnO2@TiO2 double-shell nanotubes on carbon cloth as a flexible anode for lithium-ion batteries Haifeng Zhang, Weina Ren and Chuanwei Cheng Doped Si nanoparticles with conformal carbon coating and cyclized-polyacrylonitrile network as high-capacity and high-rate lithium-ion battery anodes Ming Xie, Daniela Molina Piper, Miao Tian et al.
Nanotechnology Nanotechnology 26 (2015) 020501 (4pp)
doi:10.1088/0957-4484/26/2/020501
Viewpoint
Towards high-energy and durable lithiumion batteries via atomic layer deposition: elegantly atomic-scale material design and surface modification Xiangbo Meng Energy Systems Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Targeted at fueling future transportation and sustaining smart grids, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are undergoing intensive investigation for improved durability and energy density. Atomic layer deposition (ALD), enabling uniform and conformal nanofilms, has recently made possible many new advances for superior LIBs. The progress was summarized by Liu and Sun in their latest review [1], offering many insightful views, covering the design of nanostructured battery components (i.e., electrodes and solid electrolytes), and nanoscale modification of electrode/electrolyte interfaces. This work well informs peers of interesting research conducted and it will also further help boost the applications of ALD in next-generation LIBs and other advanced battery technologies. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)
At present, we are mostly relying on fossil fuels (including coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy supplies. As finite energy sources, they are quickly depleting as well as causing environmental issues [2]. In this context, seeking new forms of energy becomes imperative. Of all possible candidates, solar radiation and wind [3, 4] become the primary ones lauded because of their renewability, cleanness, and abundance. The two are exclusively converted into electricity for use. Given their intermittent operations determined by the alternating daytime/nighttime and varying weather conditions, they are therefore unable to generate and supply electricity smoothly. To this end, electrical energy storage (EES) [4] becomes particularly critical for widely implementing solar and wind energy. Batteries are among the most successful electrochemical devices, enabling EES in the form of chemical energy. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), commercialized in 1991 [5], dominate consumer electronics due to their superior performance versus their competitors. To fill the foreseeable gaps left by the depletion of fossil fuels, we are expecting LIBs to power transportation and support smart grids in the future. However, the state-of-the-art LIBs are still undesirable in energy density, rate capability, durability, safety, and cost [6]. In this situation, next-generation LIBs are undergoing intensive investigation, and various research routes are being sought. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) [7], delivered in the 1970 s [8] and traditionally used as a thin-film technique in the semiconductor industry, first emerged in nanotechnology at the very beginning of the 21st century and had immediately attracted great interest due to its unique capabilities of nanostructuring materials [9] at the atomic level. The exceptional characteristics of ALDs were further identified in controlling material crystallinity [10] and fine-tuning compositions of complex materials [11]. These characteristics well distinguished ALD from other 0957-4484/15/020501+04$33.00
1
© 2015 IOP Publishing Ltd Printed in the UK
Nanotechnology 26 (2015) 020501
Viewpoint
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of atomic layer deposition (ALD) for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs):
Nanostructuring battery components (cathodes, anodes, and solid electrolytes) and interface tailoring via surface coatings.
methods for novel nanostructured materials and made it possible to use them for many important applications. The first practice of ALD in LIBs appeared in 2000, when V2O5 nanofilms [12] were electrochemically investigated as LIB cathodes. Thereafter, no further work was reported until 2007, when ALD TiN [13] was coated on Li4Ti5O12 to tailor the interface between the anode and electrolyte for improved battery performance. More extensive studies on ALD for battery applications were exposed beginning in 2010, and all the emerging applications were thoroughly reviewed by Meng et al [14] in 2012, and featured battery components’ design and interface tailoring. Since then, many more research attempts have been conducted using ALD. At this point, Liu and Sun timely presented a new review [1] in which updated advances were summarized, mainly including two aspects (as illustrated in figure 1): (i) design of nanostructured battery components; and (ii) interface tailoring between electrode and electrolyte. In either way, there are many bright spots worthy of being highlighted. In the first aspect, as clearly documented in the review by Liu and Sun, ALD is capable of developing various battery components (i.e., anodes, electrolytes, and cathodes). In battery applications, ALD could either coat powder-based materials for nanocomposites as electrodes in bulk-type batteries or directly deposit each component as nanofilms on two-dimensional (2D) or into threedimensional (3D) substrates for microbatteries. While the former is very attractive for nanostructuring battery components, the latter shows great potential for commercialization. In terms of material classes, there are more species studied since Meng’s review [14]. Specifically in the case of anodes, Liu and Sun noted that, besides binary oxides, ALD demonstrated its fine-tuning capability in preparing ternary materials (e.g., Li4Ti5O12 [11]). Furthermore, ALD sulfides [15, 16] were first reported as new electrodes. Compared to anodes, ALD made more progress on cathodes. Besides the V2O5 formerly reported, Liu and Sun thoroughly tracked new successes by ALD in synthesizing other complex cathodes including FePO4 [17], LiCoO2 [18], LixMn2O4 [19], and LiFePO4 [20]. In addition, ALD also has explored more inorganic solid-state electrolytes and new species include Li3N [21], LiNbO3 [22], LiTaO3 [23]. All these new achievements by ALD have greatly expanded its capabilities from synthesizing binary to ternary 2
Nanotechnology 26 (2015) 020501
Viewpoint
or more complex materials, featuring its fine-tunability on material compositions at the atomic level. Another distinguished aspect well described by Liu and Sun focused on various ALD nanofilms coated on different electrodes for enhanced battery performance. Besides the ones (Al2O3, TiO2, and TiN) reviewed by Meng et al [14] ZrO2 [24] is one new coating material studied for anodes. In comparison, more coating films were investigated for cathodes. Of them, it is worth noting that two lithium-containing solid-state electrolytes (LiAlOx [25, 26] and Li5.1TaOz [27]) were first used to surface-modify cathodes for better performance. The beneficial effects of all the coating films lie in the formation of a protective layer of artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on different electrodes, leading to a reduction in side reactions, an improvement in mechanical properties, and enhancements in electrical/ionic conductivity. ALD coatings [26, 28] were also tried as a way to sustain the structural stability of cathodes and keep battery voltage from fading. To date, however, studies have revealed that ALD ultrathin films were very effective in capacity retention but were undesirable for alleviating voltage decay. Apparently, Liu and Sun have prepared a detailed summary of the latest advances of ALD in LIBs. All the research mentioned in the review have recognized ALDs as a novel and viable technique for high-energy and durable LIBs. However, there is still a need to explore ALD in terms of electric vehicles and smart grids. For instance, inorganic solid-state electrolytes represent an important route to secure battery safety, but to date, the electrolytes created by ALD were too low in their ionic conductivities to replace state-of-the-art liquid electrolytes. Furthermore, the most recent studies demonstrated that ALD is also an effective technique for other advanced battery technologies such as lithiumsulfur batteries [29], lithium-air batteries [30], and sodium-ion batteries [31]. With an increased awareness of the capabilities of ALDs to function as better batteries, as the review tried to deliver, it is reasonable to believe that ALD is likely to bring us more technical breakthroughs in future battery studies. Acknowledgments
X Meng appreciates the funding support of the Center for Electrical Energy Storage: Tailored Interfaces, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, and Office of Basic Energy Sciences. X Meng is grateful to Dr Jeffrey W Elam at Argonne for many constructive comments. References [1] Liu J and Sun X 2014 Nanotechnology 26 024001 [2] Tomabechi K 2010 Energies 3 686–95 [3] Solangi K H, Islam M R, Saidur R, Rahim N A and Fayaz H 2011 Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 15 2149–63 [4] Yekini Suberu M, Wazir Mustafa M and Bashir N 2014 Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 35 499–514 [5] Tarascon J M and Armand M 2001 Nature 414 359–67 [6] Yang Z G et al 2011 Chem. Rev. 111 3577–613 [7] George S M 2010 Chem. Rev. 110 111–31 [8] Suntola T and Hyvarinen J 1985 Annl. Rev. Mater. Sci. 15 177–95 [9] Knez M, Niesch K and Niinisto L 2007 Adv. Mater. 19 3425–38 [10] Miikkulainen V, Leskela M, Ritala M and Puurunen R L 2013 J. Appl. Phys. 113 021301 [11] Meng X et al 2013 RSC Advances 3 7285–8 [12] Badot J C et al 2000 Electrochem. Solid State Lett. 3 485–8 [13] Snyder M Q et al 2007 J. Power Sources 165 379–85 [14] Meng X, Yang X Q and Sun X 2012 Adv. Mater. 24 3589–615 [15] Meng X et al 2014 Chem. Mater. 26 1029–39 3
Nanotechnology 26 (2015) 020501
Viewpoint
[16] Meng X et al 2014 Adv. Func. Mater. 24 5435–42 [17] Gandrud K B, Pettersen A, Nilsen O and Fjellvag H 2013 J. Mater. Chem. A 1 9054–9 [18] Donders M E, Arnoldbik W M, Knoops H C M, Kessels W M M and Notten P H L 2013 J. Electrochem. Soc. 160 A3066–71 [19] Miikkulainen V et al 2014 J. Phys. Chem. C 118 1258–68 [20] Liu J et al 2014 Adv. Mater. 26 6472–7 [21] Ostreng E, Vajeeston P, Nilsen O and Fjellvag H 2012 RSC Adv. 2 6315–22 [22] Ostreng E, Sonsteby H H, Sajavaara T, Nilsen O and Fjellvag H 2013 J. Mater. Chem. C 1 4283–90 [23] Liu J et al 2013 J. Phys. Chem. C 117 20260–7 [24] Liu J, Li X, Cai M, Li R and Sun X 2013 Electrochim. Acta 93 195–201 [25] Park J S et al 2014 Chem. Mater. 26 3128–34 [26] Bloom I et al 2014 J. Power Sources 249 509–14 [27] Li X et al 2014 Energy Environ. Sci. 7 768–78 [28] Zhang X, Meng X, Elam J W and Belharouak I 2013 Solid State Ion. doi:10.1016/j. ssi.2013.1009.1052 [29] Yu M, Yuan W, Li C, Hong J-D and Shi G 2014 J. Mater. Chem. A 2 7360–6 [30] Lu J et al 2013 Nat. Commun. 4 2383 [31] Han X et al 2014 Nano Lett. 14 139–47
4
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My IOPscience
Towards high-energy and durable lithium-ion batteries via atomic layer deposition: elegantly atomic-scale material design and surface modification
This content has been downloaded from IOPscience. Please scroll down to see the full text. 2015 Nanotechnology 26 020501 (http://iopscience.iop.org/0957-4484/26/2/020501) View the table of contents for this issue, or go to the journal homepage for more Download details: IP Address: 132.239.1.231 This content was downloaded on 15/06/2017 at 16:44 Please note that terms and conditions apply.
You may also be interested in: Elegant design of electrode and electrode/electrolyte interface in lithium-ion batteries by atomic layer deposition Jian Liu and Xueliang Sun Atomic layer deposition of lithium phosphates as solid-state electrolytes for all-solid-state microbatteries Biqiong Wang, Jian Liu, Qian Sun et al. Oxide materials as positive electrodes of lithium-ion batteries Elena V Makhonina, Vladislav S Pervov and Valeriya S Dubasova Plasma processes in the preparation of lithium-ion battery electrodes and separators J Nava-Avendaño and J Veilleux Fabrication of 3D patterned electrodes for micro lithium-ion batteries Hirokazu Munakata, Kazuomi Yoshima and Kiyoshi Kanamura Carbon-decorated Li4Ti5O12/rutile TiO2 mesoporous microspheres with nanostructures as high-performance anode material in lithium-ion batteries Lin Gao, Rujun Liu, Hao Hu et al. Three-dimensional SnO2@TiO2 double-shell nanotubes on carbon cloth as a flexible anode for lithium-ion batteries Haifeng Zhang, Weina Ren and Chuanwei Cheng Doped Si nanoparticles with conformal carbon coating and cyclized-polyacrylonitrile network as high-capacity and high-rate lithium-ion battery anodes Ming Xie, Daniela Molina Piper, Miao Tian et al.
Nanotechnology Nanotechnology 26 (2015) 020501 (4pp)
doi:10.1088/0957-4484/26/2/020501
Viewpoint
Towards high-energy and durable lithiumion batteries via atomic layer deposition: elegantly atomic-scale material design and surface modification Xiangbo Meng Energy Systems Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, IL 60439, USA E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Targeted at fueling future transportation and sustaining smart grids, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are undergoing intensive investigation for improved durability and energy density. Atomic layer deposition (ALD), enabling uniform and conformal nanofilms, has recently made possible many new advances for superior LIBs. The progress was summarized by Liu and Sun in their latest review [1], offering many insightful views, covering the design of nanostructured battery components (i.e., electrodes and solid electrolytes), and nanoscale modification of electrode/electrolyte interfaces. This work well informs peers of interesting research conducted and it will also further help boost the applications of ALD in next-generation LIBs and other advanced battery technologies. (Some figures may appear in colour only in the online journal)
At present, we are mostly relying on fossil fuels (including coal, oil, and natural gas) for energy supplies. As finite energy sources, they are quickly depleting as well as causing environmental issues [2]. In this context, seeking new forms of energy becomes imperative. Of all possible candidates, solar radiation and wind [3, 4] become the primary ones lauded because of their renewability, cleanness, and abundance. The two are exclusively converted into electricity for use. Given their intermittent operations determined by the alternating daytime/nighttime and varying weather conditions, they are therefore unable to generate and supply electricity smoothly. To this end, electrical energy storage (EES) [4] becomes particularly critical for widely implementing solar and wind energy. Batteries are among the most successful electrochemical devices, enabling EES in the form of chemical energy. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), commercialized in 1991 [5], dominate consumer electronics due to their superior performance versus their competitors. To fill the foreseeable gaps left by the depletion of fossil fuels, we are expecting LIBs to power transportation and support smart grids in the future. However, the state-of-the-art LIBs are still undesirable in energy density, rate capability, durability, safety, and cost [6]. In this situation, next-generation LIBs are undergoing intensive investigation, and various research routes are being sought. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) [7], delivered in the 1970 s [8] and traditionally used as a thin-film technique in the semiconductor industry, first emerged in nanotechnology at the very beginning of the 21st century and had immediately attracted great interest due to its unique capabilities of nanostructuring materials [9] at the atomic level. The exceptional characteristics of ALDs were further identified in controlling material crystallinity [10] and fine-tuning compositions of complex materials [11]. These characteristics well distinguished ALD from other 0957-4484/15/020501+04$33.00
1
© 2015 IOP Publishing Ltd Printed in the UK
Nanotechnology 26 (2015) 020501
Viewpoint
Figure 1. Schematic diagram of atomic layer deposition (ALD) for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs):
Nanostructuring battery components (cathodes, anodes, and solid electrolytes) and interface tailoring via surface coatings.
methods for novel nanostructured materials and made it possible to use them for many important applications. The first practice of ALD in LIBs appeared in 2000, when V2O5 nanofilms [12] were electrochemically investigated as LIB cathodes. Thereafter, no further work was reported until 2007, when ALD TiN [13] was coated on Li4Ti5O12 to tailor the interface between the anode and electrolyte for improved battery performance. More extensive studies on ALD for battery applications were exposed beginning in 2010, and all the emerging applications were thoroughly reviewed by Meng et al [14] in 2012, and featured battery components’ design and interface tailoring. Since then, many more research attempts have been conducted using ALD. At this point, Liu and Sun timely presented a new review [1] in which updated advances were summarized, mainly including two aspects (as illustrated in figure 1): (i) design of nanostructured battery components; and (ii) interface tailoring between electrode and electrolyte. In either way, there are many bright spots worthy of being highlighted. In the first aspect, as clearly documented in the review by Liu and Sun, ALD is capable of developing various battery components (i.e., anodes, electrolytes, and cathodes). In battery applications, ALD could either coat powder-based materials for nanocomposites as electrodes in bulk-type batteries or directly deposit each component as nanofilms on two-dimensional (2D) or into threedimensional (3D) substrates for microbatteries. While the former is very attractive for nanostructuring battery components, the latter shows great potential for commercialization. In terms of material classes, there are more species studied since Meng’s review [14]. Specifically in the case of anodes, Liu and Sun noted that, besides binary oxides, ALD demonstrated its fine-tuning capability in preparing ternary materials (e.g., Li4Ti5O12 [11]). Furthermore, ALD sulfides [15, 16] were first reported as new electrodes. Compared to anodes, ALD made more progress on cathodes. Besides the V2O5 formerly reported, Liu and Sun thoroughly tracked new successes by ALD in synthesizing other complex cathodes including FePO4 [17], LiCoO2 [18], LixMn2O4 [19], and LiFePO4 [20]. In addition, ALD also has explored more inorganic solid-state electrolytes and new species include Li3N [21], LiNbO3 [22], LiTaO3 [23]. All these new achievements by ALD have greatly expanded its capabilities from synthesizing binary to ternary 2
Nanotechnology 26 (2015) 020501
Viewpoint
or more complex materials, featuring its fine-tunability on material compositions at the atomic level. Another distinguished aspect well described by Liu and Sun focused on various ALD nanofilms coated on different electrodes for enhanced battery performance. Besides the ones (Al2O3, TiO2, and TiN) reviewed by Meng et al [14] ZrO2 [24] is one new coating material studied for anodes. In comparison, more coating films were investigated for cathodes. Of them, it is worth noting that two lithium-containing solid-state electrolytes (LiAlOx [25, 26] and Li5.1TaOz [27]) were first used to surface-modify cathodes for better performance. The beneficial effects of all the coating films lie in the formation of a protective layer of artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on different electrodes, leading to a reduction in side reactions, an improvement in mechanical properties, and enhancements in electrical/ionic conductivity. ALD coatings [26, 28] were also tried as a way to sustain the structural stability of cathodes and keep battery voltage from fading. To date, however, studies have revealed that ALD ultrathin films were very effective in capacity retention but were undesirable for alleviating voltage decay. Apparently, Liu and Sun have prepared a detailed summary of the latest advances of ALD in LIBs. All the research mentioned in the review have recognized ALDs as a novel and viable technique for high-energy and durable LIBs. However, there is still a need to explore ALD in terms of electric vehicles and smart grids. For instance, inorganic solid-state electrolytes represent an important route to secure battery safety, but to date, the electrolytes created by ALD were too low in their ionic conductivities to replace state-of-the-art liquid electrolytes. Furthermore, the most recent studies demonstrated that ALD is also an effective technique for other advanced battery technologies such as lithiumsulfur batteries [29], lithium-air batteries [30], and sodium-ion batteries [31]. With an increased awareness of the capabilities of ALDs to function as better batteries, as the review tried to deliver, it is reasonable to believe that ALD is likely to bring us more technical breakthroughs in future battery studies. Acknowledgments
X Meng appreciates the funding support of the Center for Electrical Energy Storage: Tailored Interfaces, an Energy Frontier Research Center funded by the US Department of Energy, Office of Science, and Office of Basic Energy Sciences. X Meng is grateful to Dr Jeffrey W Elam at Argonne for many constructive comments. References [1] Liu J and Sun X 2014 Nanotechnology 26 024001 [2] Tomabechi K 2010 Energies 3 686–95 [3] Solangi K H, Islam M R, Saidur R, Rahim N A and Fayaz H 2011 Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 15 2149–63 [4] Yekini Suberu M, Wazir Mustafa M and Bashir N 2014 Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 35 499–514 [5] Tarascon J M and Armand M 2001 Nature 414 359–67 [6] Yang Z G et al 2011 Chem. Rev. 111 3577–613 [7] George S M 2010 Chem. Rev. 110 111–31 [8] Suntola T and Hyvarinen J 1985 Annl. Rev. Mater. Sci. 15 177–95 [9] Knez M, Niesch K and Niinisto L 2007 Adv. Mater. 19 3425–38 [10] Miikkulainen V, Leskela M, Ritala M and Puurunen R L 2013 J. Appl. Phys. 113 021301 [11] Meng X et al 2013 RSC Advances 3 7285–8 [12] Badot J C et al 2000 Electrochem. Solid State Lett. 3 485–8 [13] Snyder M Q et al 2007 J. Power Sources 165 379–85 [14] Meng X, Yang X Q and Sun X 2012 Adv. Mater. 24 3589–615 [15] Meng X et al 2014 Chem. Mater. 26 1029–39 3
Nanotechnology 26 (2015) 020501
Viewpoint
[16] Meng X et al 2014 Adv. Func. Mater. 24 5435–42 [17] Gandrud K B, Pettersen A, Nilsen O and Fjellvag H 2013 J. Mater. Chem. A 1 9054–9 [18] Donders M E, Arnoldbik W M, Knoops H C M, Kessels W M M and Notten P H L 2013 J. Electrochem. Soc. 160 A3066–71 [19] Miikkulainen V et al 2014 J. Phys. Chem. C 118 1258–68 [20] Liu J et al 2014 Adv. Mater. 26 6472–7 [21] Ostreng E, Vajeeston P, Nilsen O and Fjellvag H 2012 RSC Adv. 2 6315–22 [22] Ostreng E, Sonsteby H H, Sajavaara T, Nilsen O and Fjellvag H 2013 J. Mater. Chem. C 1 4283–90 [23] Liu J et al 2013 J. Phys. Chem. C 117 20260–7 [24] Liu J, Li X, Cai M, Li R and Sun X 2013 Electrochim. Acta 93 195–201 [25] Park J S et al 2014 Chem. Mater. 26 3128–34 [26] Bloom I et al 2014 J. Power Sources 249 509–14 [27] Li X et al 2014 Energy Environ. Sci. 7 768–78 [28] Zhang X, Meng X, Elam J W and Belharouak I 2013 Solid State Ion. doi:10.1016/j. ssi.2013.1009.1052 [29] Yu M, Yuan W, Li C, Hong J-D and Shi G 2014 J. Mater. Chem. A 2 7360–6 [30] Lu J et al 2013 Nat. Commun. 4 2383 [31] Han X et al 2014 Nano Lett. 14 139–47
4
