ALD Adaptation Promises Advances in Solid-State Battery Development

Researchers at the Argonne National Laboratory have ingeniously applied a ALD, to improve solid-state battery technology. They adapted ALD, commonly used for applying thin films in chip manufacturing, to enhance argyrodite electrolytes—a sulfur-based compound known for high ionic conductivity, which is crucial for fast-charging batteries. The ALD process involves a chemical reaction on the material's surface to create a thin protective layer, addressing the reactivity challenges of argyrodites. Unlike typical post-pellet coating, this approach uniformly applies alumina coatings to electrolyte powders before pellet formation, preserving the material's structure. This results in less air-sensitive powders, facilitating easier production and leading to batteries with better performance, as demonstrated in cell tests. The method unexpectedly also doubles the ionic conductivity and mitigates issues like dendrite formation, significantly extending the battery's life and safety, marking a promising development for solid-state battery production.

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Adapting Semiconductor Techniques For Enhanced Battery Development (electronicsforu.com)

Zachary D. Hood et al, Multifunctional Coatings on Sulfide‐Based Solid Electrolyte Powders with Enhanced Processability, Stability, and Performance for Solid‐State Batteries, Advanced Materials (2023). DOI: 10.1002/adma.202300673