Laser Porosificated Silicon Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries

This study presents the first laser porosificated silicon anode for lithium-ion batteries. The pulsed laser induced pore creation improves the cycling stability of the d = 210 nm thick sputtered thin film anodes compared to plain Si. Galvanostatic cycling with a charge capacity limited to C = 932 mAh g(-1) and a 2C current rate shows a stable cycling for more than N = 600 cycles. After N = 3000 cycles the laser porosificated and crystallized Si has a remaining capacity of C-3000 > 120 mAh g(-1). Postmortem scanning electron microscopy images after N = 3000 cycles prove that the laser porosification reduces cracks in the active layer.