Influence of laser-generated surface structures on electrochemical performance of lithium cobalt oxide

The further development of energy storage devices especially of lithium-ion batteries plays an important role in the ongoing miniaturization process towards lightweight, flexible mobile devices. To improve mechanical stability and to increase the power density of electrode materials while maintaining the same footprint area, a three-dimensional battery design is necessary. In this study different designs of three-dimensional cathode materials are investigated with respect to the electrochemical performance. Lithium cobalt oxide is considered as a standard cathode material, since it has been in use since the first commercialization of lithium-ion batteries. Various electrode designs were manufactured in lithium cobalt oxide electrodes via laser micro-structuring. Laser ablation experiments in ambient air were performed to obtain hierarchical and high aspect surface structures. Laser structuring using mask techniques as well as the formation of self-organized conical surface structures were studied in detail. In the latter case a density of larger than twenty million microstructures per square centimeter was obtained with a significant increase of active surface area. Laser annealing was applied for the control of the average grain size and the adjustment of a crystalline phase which exhibits electrochemical capacities in the range of the practical capacity known for lithium cobalt oxide. An investigation of cycling stability with respect to annealing parameters such as annealing time and temperature was performed using a diode laser operating at 940 nm. Information on the phase and crystalline structure were obtained using Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The electrochemical performance of the laser modified cathodes was studied via cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic testing using a lithium anode and a standard liquid electrolyte.