Evaluation of Electropolymerization as a Versatile Approach for Applying Conformal Polymer Electrolyte Films on Complex Micro‐Scale Silicon Architectures

Abstract Application of conformal thin polymer electrolyte coatings on architecturally complex conductive electrode surfaces in various microdevices presents a significant technical challenge using conventional thin‐film deposition techniques. In this study, electro‐grafting combined with electropol...

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Main Authors: Yuyang Hou, Fiona Yu, Thomas Rüther, Theo Rodopoulos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley-VCH 2025-04-01
Series:Advanced Materials Interfaces
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202400689
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author Yuyang Hou
Fiona Yu
Thomas Rüther
Theo Rodopoulos
author_facet Yuyang Hou
Fiona Yu
Thomas Rüther
Theo Rodopoulos
author_sort Yuyang Hou
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Application of conformal thin polymer electrolyte coatings on architecturally complex conductive electrode surfaces in various microdevices presents a significant technical challenge using conventional thin‐film deposition techniques. In this study, electro‐grafting combined with electropolymerization is investigated as a more versatile technique for applying these electrolyte coatings in order to advance the development of 3D microbatteries. Gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) films of several micrometers of thickness are electrochemically polymerized on cylindrical silicon micropillars employed as the anode in a lithium‐ion battery. This in‐situ electrochemical method allowed greater control of polymer film formation by applying a suitably negative potential for a designated duration. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy is used to analyze the surface and cross sections of polymer‐coated silicon micropillars to evaluate film formation as a function of applied potential and electrodeposition time. Discrete robust GPE samples, with the same composition as those prepared by electropolymerization, are also prepared to simplify characterization. The polymer electrolyte exhibits good thermal and electrochemical stability, high discharge capacity, and excellent capacity retention at high rates when evaluated in a coin cell. These results suggest that the electrochemical electrolyte coating technique holds promise for fabricating small‐scale lithium‐ion batteries with complex electrode architectures.
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spelling doaj-art-84d3b269d5ab488696280f9ffe4d2fd72025-08-20T03:17:55ZengWiley-VCHAdvanced Materials Interfaces2196-73502025-04-01127n/an/a10.1002/admi.202400689Evaluation of Electropolymerization as a Versatile Approach for Applying Conformal Polymer Electrolyte Films on Complex Micro‐Scale Silicon ArchitecturesYuyang Hou0Fiona Yu1Thomas Rüther2Theo Rodopoulos3CSIRO Mineral Resources Clayton VIC 3168 AustraliaCSIRO Mineral Resources Clayton VIC 3168 AustraliaCSIRO Energy Clayton VIC 3168 AustraliaCSIRO Mineral Resources Clayton VIC 3168 AustraliaAbstract Application of conformal thin polymer electrolyte coatings on architecturally complex conductive electrode surfaces in various microdevices presents a significant technical challenge using conventional thin‐film deposition techniques. In this study, electro‐grafting combined with electropolymerization is investigated as a more versatile technique for applying these electrolyte coatings in order to advance the development of 3D microbatteries. Gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) films of several micrometers of thickness are electrochemically polymerized on cylindrical silicon micropillars employed as the anode in a lithium‐ion battery. This in‐situ electrochemical method allowed greater control of polymer film formation by applying a suitably negative potential for a designated duration. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy is used to analyze the surface and cross sections of polymer‐coated silicon micropillars to evaluate film formation as a function of applied potential and electrodeposition time. Discrete robust GPE samples, with the same composition as those prepared by electropolymerization, are also prepared to simplify characterization. The polymer electrolyte exhibits good thermal and electrochemical stability, high discharge capacity, and excellent capacity retention at high rates when evaluated in a coin cell. These results suggest that the electrochemical electrolyte coating technique holds promise for fabricating small‐scale lithium‐ion batteries with complex electrode architectures.https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.2024006893D microbatterieselectrochemical polymerizationgel polymer electrolytesilicon micropillar arrayssurface coatings
spellingShingle Yuyang Hou
Fiona Yu
Thomas Rüther
Theo Rodopoulos
Evaluation of Electropolymerization as a Versatile Approach for Applying Conformal Polymer Electrolyte Films on Complex Micro‐Scale Silicon Architectures
Advanced Materials Interfaces
3D microbatteries
electrochemical polymerization
gel polymer electrolyte
silicon micropillar arrays
surface coatings
title Evaluation of Electropolymerization as a Versatile Approach for Applying Conformal Polymer Electrolyte Films on Complex Micro‐Scale Silicon Architectures
title_full Evaluation of Electropolymerization as a Versatile Approach for Applying Conformal Polymer Electrolyte Films on Complex Micro‐Scale Silicon Architectures
title_fullStr Evaluation of Electropolymerization as a Versatile Approach for Applying Conformal Polymer Electrolyte Films on Complex Micro‐Scale Silicon Architectures
title_full_unstemmed Evaluation of Electropolymerization as a Versatile Approach for Applying Conformal Polymer Electrolyte Films on Complex Micro‐Scale Silicon Architectures
title_short Evaluation of Electropolymerization as a Versatile Approach for Applying Conformal Polymer Electrolyte Films on Complex Micro‐Scale Silicon Architectures
title_sort evaluation of electropolymerization as a versatile approach for applying conformal polymer electrolyte films on complex micro scale silicon architectures
topic 3D microbatteries
electrochemical polymerization
gel polymer electrolyte
silicon micropillar arrays
surface coatings
url https://doi.org/10.1002/admi.202400689
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AT fionayu evaluationofelectropolymerizationasaversatileapproachforapplyingconformalpolymerelectrolytefilmsoncomplexmicroscalesiliconarchitectures
AT thomasruther evaluationofelectropolymerizationasaversatileapproachforapplyingconformalpolymerelectrolytefilmsoncomplexmicroscalesiliconarchitectures
AT theorodopoulos evaluationofelectropolymerizationasaversatileapproachforapplyingconformalpolymerelectrolytefilmsoncomplexmicroscalesiliconarchitectures