Improving Wetting Behavior and C-Rate Capability of Lithium-Ion Batteries by Plasma Activation

Atmospheric corona plasma activation was used at varied energy input levels to modify microsurfaces of cathodes and anodes, previous to assembly into lithium-ion batteries. Correlations of the plasma activation grade are evaluated considering electrode topography, crystal structure change, electrolyte wetting characteristics, as well as C–rate capability and cycling stability. This reveals upper limits for plasma modification, as well as direct dependencies of possible hydrophilicity changes on electrode composition. Deeper insights into electrochemical impacts are gained by the application of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, showing changes in C–rate capability to arise from changes in the cathode crystal lattice.