Artificial solid electrolyte interphases by atomic and molecular layer deposition

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Atomic layer deposition (ALD) and molecular layer deposition (MLD) excel at creating uniform, conformal, pinhole-free thin films with sub-nanometer precision.
• These techniques are highly suitable for coating complex 3D structures and powders, crucial for advanced energy storage applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the application of ALD and MLD for fabricating ultrathin protective coatings on Li-ion battery components.
• To highlight advancements in materials used for these coatings, focusing on improved ionic conductivity, Li-ion kinetics, and mechanical properties.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on ALD and MLD applications in Li-ion battery research.
• Analysis of material choices, including Al2O3, Li-based materials, and metal-organics.
• Discussion on mimicking solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layers with carbonate species.

Main Results:

• ALD and MLD enable the fabrication of conformal coatings that enhance Li-ion battery performance and lifetime.
• Recent research explores Li-based materials and metal-organics for improved ionic conductivity, kinetics, and mechanical flexibility.
• Incorporation of carbonate species in coatings aims to replicate natural SEI layers.

Conclusions:

• ALD and MLD are promising techniques for developing advanced protective coatings for Li-ion batteries.
• Further research is needed to optimize coating materials and deposition processes for enhanced battery functionality.
• Addressing challenges in material selection and mimicking SEI properties will drive future progress in battery technology.