Perovskite-Oxide-Based Thin Films for Battery Applications

Dear Colleagues,

Perovskite oxides are promising as thin-film electrode materials and model systems because their composition, oxygen-vacancy concentration, and electronic/ionic conductivities are highly tuneable, yielding useful electrochemical activity for Li-ion and O₂ reactions [1–3]. So far, high-quality perovskite thin films for battery uses have been fabricated by spin-coating, metalorganic atomic layer and chemical vapor deposition routes, pulsed laser deposition, sputtering, and solution methods [4–11].  It has been shown that post-deposition treatments such as thermal annealing in controlled atmospheres strongly affects ionic conductivity and stability [12,13]. Some limitations that inhibit electrode performance arise from chemical and/or electrochemical stability (moisture, redox conditions), ion migration, and interfacial compatibility with common battery chemistries, inhibiting practical battery deployment [1,8,14,15]. Artificial solid electrolyte interphases (SEIs) in the form of ultrathin perovskite films, such as Li-doped perovskites, can provide highly conductive Li⁺ pathways and protect Li metal from parasitic reactions [16], evidencing improved Li flux and cycling when a perovskite film is used as an engineered SEI [17]. Perovskite-oxide-based thin films often need carefully engineered interfaces to metal electrodes or solid electrolytes to avoid reactions and to maintain low interfacial resistance [18]. Fundamental perovskite oxide thin-film model studies reveal mechanistic insights that can be translated to devices [19]. A continued focus on interface engineering and scalable and stable deposition routes is required [20]. Lastly, lead oxide perovskites raise toxicity and environmental concerns [21]. Hence, lead-free alternatives are being pursued, but often trade stability with ionic performance [22].

Topics of interest of thin-film metal-oxide perovskites:

• Artificial SEI layers on Li metal or cathodes.
• Tuneable ionic conductivity via doping and strain.
• Novel cathode and anode electrodes for batteries.
• Oxygen redox and anion redox chemistry in next-gen cathodes.
• Defect migration and interfacial reactions at an atomic level.
• Suppression of dendrite growth and improved interfacial stability.
• Designing stable and non-toxic perovskite oxide films for green energy devices.
• Electrode model systems.

References:

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[12] H. Wang, C. Frontera, B. Martínez, N. Mestres, Rapid Thermal Annealing of Double Perovskite Thin Films Formed by Polymer Assisted Deposition, Mater. 2020, Vol. 13, Page 4966. 13 (2020) 4966. doi:10.3390/MA13214966.

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Prof. Dr. Carlos Jose Macedo Tavares
Guest Editor

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