Battery Manufacturing eBook v3

Coating - Laser Structuring of Graphite Anodes Lithium-ion batteries (LiBs) containing structured graphite anodes show a significant performance increase in comparison to their unstructured counterparts. Furthermore, LIBs with structured electrodes exhibit an enhanced lifetime through the reduction of degradation effects such as Lithium plating. Laser structuring the elctrode can also allow for better diffusion of the electrolyte within the battery via capillary action, which can reduce production failures, can extend the battery lifetime, and can increase the battery capacity. Pulsed laser radiation has been proven to be a versatile tool for the introduction of diffusion channels into the electrodes with micrometer precision. Ultrashort-pulsed laser sources allow the selective ablation of electrode coatings with low heat input into the surrounding material. Laser drilled channels arranged in a hexagonal pattern optimize the electrochemical properties of the electrode. A picosecond laser, emitting laser pulses at 1064 nm with a typical length of 8 picoseconds combined with a high-precision scan head with galvanometer-driven mirrors and focused with an F-Theta lens onto the substrate.