Microstructural and Electrochemical Studies on Laser Ablated LiNiO2 Thin Films

M. C. Rao, K. Ravindranadh and

Abstract

Thin films of LiNiO2 were prepared by pulsed laser deposition technique and the properties were studied in relation to the deposition parameters. Systematic characterizations like RBS, SEM, TEM and electrochemical studies were performed on to the prepared samples. The SEM data demonstrated that the films exhibited a smooth surface roughness with spherical droplets. The grain size increased with the increase of substrate temperature. The Li/Ni ratio has been studied as a function of the substrate temperature. The films prepared in the substrate temperature range 300-700 0C were found to be nearly stoichiometric. The electrochemical measurements were carried out on Li//LiNiO2 cells with a lithium metal foil as anode and LiNiO2 film as cathode of 1.5 cm2 active area using a Teflon home-made cell hardware. The Li//LiNiO2 cells were tested in the potential range 2.6 – 4.0 V. Specific capacity as high as 200 mC/cm2 μm was measured for the film grown at 700 0C. The growth of LiNiO2 films were studied in relation to the deposition parameters for their effective utilization as cathode materials in solid state microbattery application.