Electrochemical studies of nanoncrystalline Mg2Si thin film electrodes prepared by pulsed laser deposition

Electrochemically active thin films of Mg2Si in various film thicknesses of 30-380 nm have been prepared with the pulsed laser deposition technique. The thinnest film of 30 nm showed a highly stable cycling behavior at 0.1-1.0 V vs. Li, delivering capacity greater than 2000 mAh/g for more than 100 cycles. Though the film morphology became remarkably rougher with cycling, the films showed good stability. However, the first cycle irreversible capacity loss increased with film thickness. Therefore, lithium adsorption/desorption reaction forming Li-Si alloy at the Si-rich film surface is suggested as one of the sources of the large capacity of the 30 nm film. The superior capacity retention, when compared to porous electrodes of this alloy, may be attributed to a limited structural volume change in the two-dimensional film, shorter lithium diffusion path and enhanced conductivity from stainless steel substrate. The goals of this study are to promote the emerging need of thin film anodes for all solid-state microbatteries and clarify the capacity failure of powder intermetallic anodes for rechargeable lithium batteries. (C) 2002 The Electrochemical Society.