Use of Well-Aligned, Inclined Nanocolumnar Structured Cusi Thin Film As Anode Material in Lib

Oblique angle deposition method was used to fabricate inclined nanocolumnar structured CuSi thin films on Cu substrates. The reversible cyclability of those Si based composite anodes is greatly improved by optimizing the atomic ratio of Cu/Si in the thin films. The thicknesses, surface morphologies, and electrochemical behavior of the films deposited are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), cyclic voltammetry (CV), impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and galvanostatic charge/discharge measurements. The galvanostatic test results show that the best result is achieved when the composite thin film having of 10%at. Cu- 90%at. Si is used as anode in half cell. It is possible to explain this remarkable performance by the amorphous structure of the thin film and its enhanced physical and mechanical properties due to the Cu content of the film. This study proves that electron beam evaporation can be an alternative method to fabricate electrodes used in lithium ion batteries, because this environmentally friendly process enables one to make production in one step without using any binders or conductive additives.