Toyota funds ALD technology research for battery materials at Aalto University, Finland

"Toyota enthusiastic over Aalto’s materials research" Professor Maarit Karppinen’s research group is developing better battery materials by means of atomic layer deposition.
 

The car-manufacturing giant found Aalto University and Maarit Karppinen’s research group on the basis of a recommendation.‘They bought the reactor needed for atomic layer deposition from Picosun, a Finnish company that told them we would have the research expertise they needed,’ explains doctoral researcher Mikko Nisula, who works in Professor Karppinen’s group.

‘It’s great that an international car-manufacturing giant is capable in practice of utilizing the long-term basic research with ALD technology we’ve been doing. The cooperation has advanced quite smoothly,’ Professor Karppinen says.

 

 

More information:
Doctoral candidate Mikko Nisula, Aalto University School of Chemical Technology, Department of Chemistry
mikko.nisula@aalto.fi

Professor Maarit Karppinen, Aalto University School of Chemical Technology, Department of Chemistry
maarit.karppinen@aalto.fi

ALD of LiFePO4 as a High-Performance Cathode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Dr. Sun’s Nanomaterials & Energy Group at University of Western Ontario just published a very interesting paper on lithium iron phosphate by ALD for 3D solid state microbatteries in Advanced Materials. 

 

Western Engineering professor Andy Sun, Canada Research Chair in Development of Nanomaterials for Clean Energy, is working toward increasing the performance of electric cars, by using lithium iron phosphate batteries (Professor charges toward better battery life).

 

Rational Design of Atomic-Layer-Deposited LiFePO4 as a High-Performance Cathode for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Jian Liu, Mohammad N. Banis, Qian Sun, Andrew Lushington, Ruying Li, Tsun-Kong Sham, and Xueliang Sun

Adv. Mater. 2014, 26, 6472–6477

 

The atomic layer deposition technique is successfully applied to synthesize lithium iron phosphate using rationally designed surface reactions, as demonstrated for the first time by X. Sun and co-workers on page 6472. The lithium iron phosphate exhibits high power density, excellent rate capability, and ultra-long lifetime, showing great potential in vehicular lithium batteries and 3D all-solid-state microbatteries.

Herein, for the fi rst time, we develop an ALD approach to grow LiFePO 4*, as a typical example of quaternary LiMPO 4 cathode materials, by carefully tailoring the surface reactions that occur. Distinguished from solid-state reactions and solution chemistries, the ALD approach employs self-limiting, vapor-based surface reactions to deposit LiFePO 4 in a layer-bylayer manner (Fe 2 O 3 , PO x , and Li 2 O subcycles). In this way, the ALD approach permits precise control over the thickness and film composition of LiFePO 4 at the atomic level. This unprecedented accuracy promises a versatile design of nanostructured LiFePO4 on various types of substrates (in particular with high aspect ratio), and extends the employment of LiFePO4 to a broader range of applications, especially in 3D all-solid state microbatteries for autonomous micro-devices. Moreover, LiFePO 4 is deposited on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by ALD to form LiFePO4 /CNT nanocomposite, aiming at breaking through the rate-capability bottleneck typically for pristine LiFePO4 . Excitingly, the LiFePO 4 /CNT electrode exhibits excellent rate capability, high power density, and ultra-long cycling lifetime, which are desirable properties for vehicular LIBs. Our work provides a new method for well-defined fabrication of high-powered.

* Amorphous LiFePO 4 at 300 °C with the use of ferrocene (FeCp2), ozone (O3), trimethylphosphate (TMPO), water (H2O), and lithium t -butoxide (LiOtBu) as precursors.

 

 

Here is an earlier review form 2012 :

 

Emerging Applications of Atomic Layer Dposition for Lithium-ion Battery Studies

X. Meng, X.-Q. Yang, X. Sun
Adv. Mater. 24 (2012) 3589-3615.

 

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are used widely in today's consumer electronics and offer great potential for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in HEVs, pure EVs, and also in smart grids as future energy-storage devices. However, many challenges must be addressed before these future applications of LIBs are realized, such as the energy and power density of LIBs, their cycle and calendar life, safety characteristics, and costs. Recently, a technique called atomic layer deposition (ALD) attracted great interest as a novel tool and approach for resolving these issues. In this article, recent advances in using ALD for LIB studies are thoroughly reviewed, covering two technical routes: 1) ALD for designing and synthesizing new LIB components, i.e., anodes, cathodes, and solid electrolytes, and; 2) ALD used in modifying electrode properties via surface coating. This review will hopefully stimulate more extensive and insightful studies on using ALD for developing high-performance LIBs.

NEI Corporation and PneumatiCoat Tech. sign JDA to develop Spatial ALD for Lithium-ion Batteries

As reported by NEI Corporation: NEI Corporation and PneumatiCoat Technologies Sign Agreement to Jointly Develop and Market New Materials for Lithium-ion Batteries:

NEI Corporation has been a long trusted source for customized cathode and anode materials used in lithium batteries. The company specializes in developing new compositions and particle morphologies, including nanoscale particle engineering. NEI also has extensive battery research and characterization facility, which includes multi-channel cell testers. PneumatiCoat Technologies is a pioneer in autonomous coating systems that allow for high-rate manufacturing of ALD protected particles used in batteries and related energy storage devices. The ALD platform was originally developed in Europe, and PCT is now facilitating the transition of the ALD platform from slow and expensive to economical, robust and industrially-viable.

 

PCT’s Turn-key Systems for Li-ion Battery Materials "PneumatiCoat System Transforms Powder Flow to Rate Limiting Step" using Spatial ALD Technology.

 
The NEI-PCT agreement allows customers access to ALD coatings on a variety of battery material compositions, including mixed metal oxides (Lithium Manganese Nickel Oxide - LMNO, NMC, LMO, NCA); phosphates, silicates, titanates, sulfides, graphite and silicon-based active materials. Customers have the flexibility to not only investigate new compositions and chemistries, but also consider the use of different ALD coatings, both passive and lithium-ion conducting. The NEI-PCT relationship provides customers with access to the technology cost-effectively.

 

  

More detailed information on the ALD technology can be found in this PDF-presentation.

 

About PneumatiCoat Technologies LLC:

PneumatiCoat Technologies is the exclusive manufacturer of Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) systems that operate using the low-cost spatial ALD production process, a must-have for integrating surface-customized materials into differentiated products in a cost-effective manner. The powder-on-demand system uses the principles of lean manufacturing to produce ALD-coated particles and objects. PCT provides services, systems, and products to support product customization and continuous improvement initiatives across a wide array of industries, and its innovative IP portfolio also includes exclusive rights to develop and manufacture ALD-enabled battery materials. PCT uses the trade name PICOSHIELD™.

Picosun teams up with IMEC to realize next generation’s battery technology with ALD

ESPOO, Finland, 25th August, 2014 – Picosun Oy, the leading manufacturer of high quality Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) equipment for global industries, teams up with IMEC to realize next generation’s battery technology with its advanced ALD solutions.

 

IMEC (headquartered in Leuven, Belgium) is a nanoelectronics research center, performing world-leading research in micro- and nanoelectronics via global partnerships in the fields of ICT (information and communications technology), healthcare, and energy. To ensure always the highest level, cutting-edge quality of its research and product development, IMEC has now started working with Picosun as solution and technology provider for ALD-based energy storage components for advanced microelectronic systems such as medical implants, automotive, sensor networks, and mobile communication devices.
 
Picosun’s ALD equipment for IMEC is equipped with revolutionary boosting heated source systems and full inert gas glove box integration to enable the best results in coating of moisture sensitive materials with demanding film processes. Picosun’s ALD tools are world known for fulfilling the strictest industrial productivity, film purity, and quality standards scalable to high volume manufacturing with fast process times and low cost-of-ownership.
 
“We are proud of our ALD technology’s continuing expansion to new industrial fields. The fact that IMEC, one of world’s leading semiconductor and nanoelectronics research institutes relies on Picosun’s ALD expertise to enable novel energy storage solutions for global electronic industries speaks volumes about our level of thin film processing know-how and the trust that our customers place on us,” states Juhana Kostamo, Managing Director of Picosun. 
Picosun’s highest level ALD thin film technology enables the industrial leap into the future by novel, cutting-edge coating solutions, with four decades of continuous, groundbreaking expertise in the field. Today, PICOSUN™ ALD systems are in daily production use in numerous major industries around the world. Picosun is based in Finland, with subsidiaries in USA, China, and Singapore, and a world-wide sales and support network.

 

Interesting Links and further reading:

 

The SoS-Lion project at imec to build a functional all solid state 3D thin film microbattery. To this end, both conformal coating processes and solid electrolyte materials need to be developed.

• Planar thin film battery with focus on conductivity of solid electrolyte
• 3D thin film battery with focus on conformality and mechanical compliance of solid electrolyte

Towards all solid-state 3D thin-film batteries for durable and fast storage
Article in Solid State Technology by PHILIPPE VEREECKEN, principal scientist, imec, associate professor, KU Leuven

Picosun on Energy storage and production

Durable and safe cathode material enabled by ALD for the next-generation electric vehicles

Researchers at University of Colorado at Boulder, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Seoul National University, has shown that a Al2O3 coating deposited by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) dramatically reduces the degradation in cell conductivity and reaction kinetics of commercially available cathode material used in today's state-of-art Li-ion batteries, lithium nickel–manganese–cobalt oxide Li[Ni1/3 Mn1/3Co1/3]O2 a.k.a. NMC.

 

According to the researchers the use of NMC cathodes for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs), have not been possible so far because of: 

• limited power performance (rate capability)
• degradation in their capacity and cycle-life at high operation temperatures and voltages

The researches have developed a new durable ultra-thin Al2O3-ALD coating layer that also improves stability for the NMC at an elevated temperature. Furthermore, the experimental results suggest that a highly durable and safe cathode material enabled by atomic-scale surface modification can meet the demanding performance and safety requirements of next-generation electric vehicles.

 

The University of Colorado Boulder (also commonly referred to as CU-Boulder, CU, Boulder, or Colorado) is a public research university located in Boulder, Colorado, United States. It is the flagship university of the University of Colorado system and was founded five months before Colorado was admitted to the union in 1876. According to The Public Ivies: America's Flagship Public Universities (2001), it is considered one of the thirty "Public Ivy League" schools. (Source: Wikipedia, Picture :  The  Campus of University of Colorado Boulder, http://www.colorado.edu/).
 

The work has been funded by by National Science Foundation (USA), Department of Energy (USA), and Ministry of Knowledge Economy (KOR).

 

Results have been published in the article below in the Journal of Power Sources:

 

Unexpected high power performance of atomic layer deposition coated Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3]O2 cathodes

Ji Woo Kim, Jonathan J. Travis, Enyuan Hu, Kyung-Wan Nam, Seul Cham Kim, Chan Soon Kang, Jae-Ha Woo, Xiao-Qing Yang, Steven M. George, Kyu Hwan Oh, Sung-Jin Cho, Se-Hee Lee

Journal of Power Sources, Volume 254, 15 May 2014, Pages 190–197

 

Abstract: Electric-powered transportation requires an efficient, low-cost, and safe energy storage system with high energy density and power capability. Despite its high specific capacity, the current commercially available cathode material for today's state-of-art Li-ion batteries, lithium nickel–manganese–cobalt oxide Li[Ni1/3 Mn1/3Co1/3]O2 (NMC), suffers from poor cycle life for high temperature operation and marginal rate capability resulting from irreversible degradation of the cathode material upon cycling. Using an atomic-scale surface engineering, the performance of Li[Ni1/3Mn1/3Co1/3]O2 in terms of rate capability and high temperature cycle-life is significantly improved. The Al2O3 coating deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) dramatically reduces the degradation in cell conductivity and reaction kinetics. This durable ultra-thin Al2O3-ALD coating layer also improves stability for the NMC at an elevated temperature (55 °C). The experimental results suggest that a highly durable and safe cathode material enabled by atomic-scale surface modification could meet the demanding performance and safety requirements of next-generation electric vehicles.

 

More interesting publications from The Electrochemical Energy Laboratory at University of Colorado at Boulder  on high performance materials for sustainable energy applications :  batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, electrochromic winodws, and photoelectrochemical devices can be found here: http://www.colorado.edu/mechanical/ecel/publication.html

  

Towards all solid-state 3D thin-film batteries for durable and fast storage by imec

An excellent overview on all solid-state 3D thin-film batteries where Philippe Vereecken principal scientist at imec, and associate professor at KU Leuven explains "One way to make Li-ion batteries more durable, safer, smaller and in particularly faster, is a transition towards all solid-state 3D thin-film Li-ion batteries." The article can be find on page 30 in the May 2014 issue of Solid State Technology. UPDATE: this paper is also available here as html Solid State Technology.

 

 

Schematic of a planar (a) and 3D thin-film (b) battery with the following stack: current collector/ electrode/solid electrolyte/electrode/current collector. (Source: Solid State Technology)

 

 

ALD processes for solid state lithium batteries has been and is an active field of research at Oslo and Helsinki University. Below is a recent review from Ola Nilsen et al giving a great overview on the ALD precursor and processes that have been investigated so far.

Atomic layer deposition of functional films for Li-ion microbatteries

Ola Nilsen, Ville Miikkulainen, Knut B. Gandrud, Erik Østreng, Amund Ruud, Helmer Fjellvag
Volume 211, Issue 2, pages 357–367, February 2014

The lithium ion battery concept is a promising energy storage system, both for larger automotive systems and smaller mobile devices. The smallest of these, the microbatteries, are commonly based on the all-solid state concept consisting of thin layers of electroactive materials separated by a solid state electrolyte. The fact that solid state electrolytes are required puts rather severe constraints on the materials in terms of electronic and ionic conductivity, as well as lack of pinholes otherwise leading to self-discharge. The atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology is especially suitable for realization of such microbatteries for the Li-ion technology. ALD has an inherent nature to deposit conformal and pinhole free layers on complex geometrical shapes, an architecture most commonly adopted for microbattery designs. The current paper gives an overview of ALD-type deposition processes of functional battery materials, including cathodes, electrolytes, and anodes with the aim of developing all-solid-state batteries. Deposition of Li-containing materials by the ALD technique appears challenging and the status of current efforts is discussed.