The development of three-dimensional (3D) microelectrodes is essential not only to achieve high energy and power density Li-ion batteries but also to minimize the ohmic losses and therefore achieve better performance. In this work, we used SU-8, an epoxy based negative photoresist which yields hard carbon upon pyrolysis for fabricating 3D micro-post arrays as electrodes¹. The SU-8 derived 3D carbon microelectrodes on Silicon (Si) wafer has been reported earlier in literature, however the capacity values were quite moderate². This is due to the high resistance offered by Si wafer used as a collector. Our group reported recently that the gravimetric reversible capacity value may be almost doubled when SU-8 derived carbon film was prepared on stainless steel (SS) wafer as compared to Si wafer. This inspires us further to fabricate 3D carbon microelectrodes array on SS wafer and to test their electrochemical performance.

Experimental

SU-8 2100 was spin coated on cleaned SS wafer. Prebaking, UV exposure and post-exposure baking conditions were optimized to prepare SU-8 based 3D micropillars with an aspect ratio of 2 (50µm height and 25µm diameter), and 35µm spacing using photolithography. As-obtained micropillars were then pyrolysed under the controlled N₂ atmosphere in a tubular furnace at 900ºC to obtain 3D carbon microelectrode arrays. As-fabricated, 3D carbon microelectrode array on SS wafer was used as working electrode while lithium foil as the counter electrode in Swagelok half-cell assembly to test their electrochemical performance using potentiostat/galvanostat.

Results and discussions

Figure 1a shows the optical profiler image of SU-8 derived 3D carbon microelectrode array. It was observed that the 3D cylindrical morphology was retained after carbonization however there was nearly 50% shrinkage. As-obtained 3D carbon microelectrode arrays were found to have 26µm height, 16µm diameter, and 40µm spacing. Galvanostatic charge-discharge experiments were carried out at 37.2 mA/g current density. These 3D carbon microelectrode arrays have shown a high discharge capacity (~600 mAh/g) even after 165 continuous charge/discharge cycles (Figure 1b). This is significantly higher than the reported values for 3D carbon micropillars on Si wafer². A comparison of volumetric capacity was also made. Further detailed characterization of these carbon microelectrodes and their electrochemical performance with cyclic voltammetry results will be presented during the conference.

References:

1. Kakunuri, M. & Sharma, C. S. Photoresist Derived Carbon Films as High Capacity Anodes for Lithium Ion Battery. ECS Trans. 61, 37–43 (2014).
2. Teixidor, G. T., Zaouk, R. B., Park, B. Y. & Madou, M. J. Fabrication and characterization of three-dimensional carbon electrodes for lithium-ion batteries. J. Power Sources 183, 730–740 (2008).