Gigahertz laser ablation of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide for lithium-ion batteries

Striking the right balance between high-energy and high-power density, process dependability, and economic factors presents a hurdle for the existing lithium-ion battery technology. In this context, the creation of three-dimensional (3D) electrode architectures with the aid of laser ablation is being explored and assessed for its influence on battery performance and potential integration into battery manufacturing. Compared to conventional two-dimensional (2D) electrodes, these designs can lead to substantial enhancements in battery longevity and high-power operation capabilities. In this study, GHz laser ablation of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide electrode material (>4 mAh/cm2) with a water-based binder, was studied as a function of burst mode pulse train length (20 ns – 1 µs) and average laser power for a laser scanning speed in the range of 10 to 20 m/min. An optimized GHz-ablation efficiency suitable for upscaling the 3D electrode concept was identified and demonstrated in a battery pouch cell (>200 mAh).