Recent Advances in Materials Design Using Atomic Layer Deposition for Energy Applications

Abstract

The design and development of materials at the nanoscale has enabled efficient, cutting‐edge renewable energy storage, and conversion devices such as solar cells, water splitting, fuel cells, batteries, and supercapacitors. In addition to creating new materials, the ability to refine the structure and interface properties holds the key to achieving superior performance and durability of these devices. Atomic layer deposition (ALD) has become an important tool for nanofabrication as it allows the deposition of pin‐hole‐free films with atomic‐level thickness and composition control over high aspect ratio surfaces. ALD is successfully used to fabricate devices for renewable energy storage and conversion, for example, to deposit absorber materials, passivation layers, selective contacts, catalyst films, protection barriers, etc. In this review article, recent advances enabled by ALD in designing materials for high‐performance solar cells, catalytic energy conversion systems, batteries, and fuel cells, are summarized. The critical issues impeding the performance and durability of these devices are introduced and then the role of ALD in addressing them is discussed. Finally, the challenges in the implementation of ALD technique for nanofabrication on industrial scale are highlighted and a perspective on potential solutions is provided.

Antibacterial and Osteogenic Properties of Ag Nanoparticles and Ag/TiO2 Nanostructures Prepared by Atomic Layer Deposition

“…In addition, self-limiting surface reactions at the substrate–gas interface provide layer-by-layer film growth and allow for conformal deposition of thin films on complex three-dimensional and porous substrates. These features and good scalability have led to an increase in industry interest for ALD and a dramatic increase in publications over the last decade [ 15 ]. The possibility of using one technology for the synthesis of both continuous coatings of titanium oxide and silver NPs is also an important factor when choosing ALD as a method for the preparation of biomedical coatings.…”

Manipulating and Optimizing the Hierarchically Porous Electrode Structures for Rapid Mass Transport in Solid Oxide Cells

“…[77] Therefore, it is necessary to optimize the preparation process to ensure that the cells have less mass transport resistance and sufficient mechanical strength to cope with the temperature gradient pressure and various mechanical loads. [210] In order to obtain sufficient mechanical strength, a support substrate with a double-layer structure has been fabricated. [107] For example, a dense top layer with a thickness of 30 µm was applied to the porous substrate prepared by freezecasting using screen-printing.…”

Carbon-Based Modification Materials for Lithium-ion Battery Cathodes: Advances and Perspectives

“…To overcome the shortages of NCA, the modification of carbon-based materials can effectively enhance ionic conductivity and cycle performance by changing the transmission mechanism and increasing the electrical conductivity. Many approaches have been developed to coat LiNi x Co y Al 1-x-y O 2 by using carbon-based materials, including atomic layer deposition (ALD) ( Gupta et al, 2022 ), wet chemical method ( Han et al, 2019 ), and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). The hydrolysis–condensation method was designed to synthesize the NCA-ethoxy-functional groups (EPS) cathodes, which can effectively suppress the side reactions and mitigate the instability of pristine NCA ( Visbal et al, 2016 ).…”