Patterning Design of Electrode to Improve the Interfacial Stability and Rate Capability for Fast Rechargeable...

Patterned electrodes were developed for use in solid-state lithium-ion batteries, with the ultimate goal to promote fast-charging attributes through improving electrochemically activated surfaces within electrodes. By a conventional photolithography, patterned arrays of SnO₂ nanowires were fabricated directly on the current collector, and empty channel structures formed between the resulting arrays were customized through modifying the size and interval of the SnO₂ patterns. The composite electrolyte comprising Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ and poly(ethylene oxide) was exploited to secure intimate interfacial contact at the electrode/electrolyte junction while preserving ionic conductivity in the bulk electrolyte. The potential and limitation of the electrode patterning approach were then explored experimentally. For example, the electrochemical behaviors of patterned electrodes were investigated as a function of variations in microchannel structures, and compared with those of conventional film-type electrodes. The findings show promise to improve electrode dynamics when electrochemical reaction kinetics could be hindered by poor interfacial characteristics on electrodes.