Effect of fullerene coating on silicon thin film anodes for lithium rechargeable batteries

• Published in: Journal of solid state electrochemistry Vol. 14; no. 1; pp. 51 - 56
• Main Authors: Arie, Arenst Andreas, Chang, Wonyoung, Lee, Joong Kee
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.01.2010
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed Matter Physics; Electrochemistry; Energy Storage; Original Paper; Physical Chemistry; Lithium battery; Fullerene; Coating; Silicon thin film; Anodes
• ISSN: 1432-8488; 1433-0768
• DOI: 10.1007/s10008-009-0787-4

To improve the electrochemical performances of Si thin film anodes for lithium rechargeable batteries, fullerene thin films are prepared by plasma-assisted evaporation methods to be used as coating materials. Analyses via Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicate that amorphous polymeric films originated from fullerene are formed on the surface of the silicon thin film. The electrochemical performance of these fullerene-coated silicon thin film as an anode material for rechargeable lithium batteries has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry, charge/discharge tests, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The fullerene-coated Si thin films demonstrated a high specific capacity of above 3,000 mAh g −1 as well as good capacity retention for 40 cycles. In comparison with bare silicon anodes, the fullerene-coated silicon thin film showed superior and stable cycle performance which can be attributed to the fullerene coating layer which enhances the Li-ion kinetic property at the electrode/electrolyte interface.