Laser structured electrodes for battery production

The performance of lithium-ion-batteries at high current charging rates can be enhanced through laser structuring of the electrode coatings. Using picosecond laser pulses, various structures in the cathode coating were created. The manufactured pouch cell batteries were formed and cycled at different current rates. The discharge capacity was measured for each cycle and compared with non-structured reference cells. The results of batteries with hole patterns show an improvement of the specific discharge capacity, depending on the hole diameter and distance. A significant increase in the discharge capacity was measured for line structures, plus an enhanced ageing over the first cycles.