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W. Pfleging et al.
11.1 Introduction
11.1.1 Lithium-Ion Batteries
Almost 30 years ago Sony introduced the commercial lithium-ion battery (LIB)
designed for portable electronic applications containing amorphous carbon as anode,
lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO 2 ) as cathode and non-aqueous liquid electrolyte. Nowadays, LIBs became the most feasible electric energy storage tool [1–3]. For stationary
or high power applications batteries contain thick film electrodes as complex systems
with determined stoichiometry and material phases yielding to capacities even
higher than 60 Ah [4]. New transportation concepts support electromobility, which
appears to be the most appropriate solution in terms of sustainability use of energy
resources and environmental stability. Further development of LIB technology is
directed towards energy storage concepts which will meet the requirements of
e-transportation, in terms of energy and power density [5].
11.1.2 3D Battery Concept
The state-of-art LIB electrodes are two-dimensional (2D) materials with relative
limited film thickness. Therefore the total amount of energy stored in 2D LIB electrodes is restricted by their areal footprint. Efforts are directed towards the development of advanced lithium-ion electrodes, e.g., modified surface architectures. The
development of 3D architectures in LIB electrodes is a relatively new approach for
overcoming battery power losses during operation, high interelectrode ohmic resistances [6, 7], and further chemical or mechanical degradation. The latter one occurs
due to lithium-ion insertion producing high volume changes within the composite
layers [8]. Electrodes with 3D architecture are developed in order to enhance the
surface area and improve the electrolyte filling process [9–12]. The goal of the
3D battery concept is to design cell and electrode architectures, which maximize
the power performance and high power capability, and improve the high cycle
lifetime through evolution of new and shorter lithium-ion pathways [6]. In recent
concepts [13–15], the 3D micro- and nanostructured architectures will make use of
the complete available space thus increasing the energy density of the battery by
200%. A common approach is 3D structuring of the electrode substrate, the current
collector, prior to electrode film deposition. Baggetto et al. [16] and Notten et al.
[17] adopted an approach which complies with state-of-the-art integrated circuits
(IC) technologies such as standard lithography, etching technologies and thin-film
deposition. Furthermore, the 3D electrode architectures could also be achieved by
using template materials such as anodic aluminum oxides, colloidal crystals and
bio-templates, 3D printing, and laser structuring [18, 19]. In comparison to all above
methods, the laser-assisted approach is a simple, rapid, and easily scalable process
for the 3D electrode industrial production [12, 20].
W. Pfleging et al.
11.1 Introduction
11.1.1 Lithium-Ion Batteries
Almost 30 years ago Sony introduced the commercial lithium-ion battery (LIB)
designed for portable electronic applications containing amorphous carbon as anode,
lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO 2 ) as cathode and non-aqueous liquid electrolyte. Nowadays, LIBs became the most feasible electric energy storage tool [1–3]. For stationary
or high power applications batteries contain thick film electrodes as complex systems
with determined stoichiometry and material phases yielding to capacities even
higher than 60 Ah [4]. New transportation concepts support electromobility, which
appears to be the most appropriate solution in terms of sustainability use of energy
resources and environmental stability. Further development of LIB technology is
directed towards energy storage concepts which will meet the requirements of
e-transportation, in terms of energy and power density [5].
11.1.2 3D Battery Concept
The state-of-art LIB electrodes are two-dimensional (2D) materials with relative
limited film thickness. Therefore the total amount of energy stored in 2D LIB electrodes is restricted by their areal footprint. Efforts are directed towards the development of advanced lithium-ion electrodes, e.g., modified surface architectures. The
development of 3D architectures in LIB electrodes is a relatively new approach for
overcoming battery power losses during operation, high interelectrode ohmic resistances [6, 7], and further chemical or mechanical degradation. The latter one occurs
due to lithium-ion insertion producing high volume changes within the composite
layers [8]. Electrodes with 3D architecture are developed in order to enhance the
surface area and improve the electrolyte filling process [9–12]. The goal of the
3D battery concept is to design cell and electrode architectures, which maximize
the power performance and high power capability, and improve the high cycle
lifetime through evolution of new and shorter lithium-ion pathways [6]. In recent
concepts [13–15], the 3D micro- and nanostructured architectures will make use of
the complete available space thus increasing the energy density of the battery by
200%. A common approach is 3D structuring of the electrode substrate, the current
collector, prior to electrode film deposition. Baggetto et al. [16] and Notten et al.
[17] adopted an approach which complies with state-of-the-art integrated circuits
(IC) technologies such as standard lithography, etching technologies and thin-film
deposition. Furthermore, the 3D electrode architectures could also be achieved by
using template materials such as anodic aluminum oxides, colloidal crystals and
bio-templates, 3D printing, and laser structuring [18, 19]. In comparison to all above
methods, the laser-assisted approach is a simple, rapid, and easily scalable process
for the 3D electrode industrial production [12, 20].