Applications of Pulsed Laser Ablation in Li-ion Battery Research

Abstract

Harnessing pulsed laser ablation processes in the manufacturing of energy storage devices is a new and promising strategy for the facile development of next-generation Li-ion batteries. In laser ablation, a pulsed laser is focused on a material surface such that the transfer of energy causes the removal of localized material via high throughput and environmentally-friendly processing. This chapter will provide a summary of the recent advances in laser ablation technologies for producing Li-ion battery materials and components. In terms of electrode optimization, it will examine the use of pulsed lasers to: (1) generate large specific surface area nanoparticles of active materials or stable integrative anodes; (2) deposit compositionally complex and stoichiometric thin film active materials; (3) create electrode architectures with increased Li-ion diffusion kinetics, enhanced wettability or free space to accommodate Si anode volume expansions, and; (4) remove the superficial inactive or solid electrolyte interface layers from electrode surfaces. It will also investigate the laser ablation of current collectors to produce textures with improved adhesion and the use of pulsed lasers for cutting and structuring solid ceramic electrolyte. Finally, this chapter will discuss the application of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) for chemical composition analysis of Li-ion batteries throughout their operating cycle.