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Operando and in situ APXPS investigation of the atomic layer deposition of a metal oxide coating on a Ni-rich cathode

Llanos, Princess Stephanie ; Ahaliabadeh, Zahra ; Miikkulainen, Ville ; Kokkonen, Esko LU orcid ; Jones, Rosemary LU ; Urpelainen, Samuli LU and Kallio, Tanja (2026) In Applied Surface Science 718.
Abstract

The expansion of the electric vehicle industry is driving increased demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which in turn creates challenges in material availability and waste management that more durable LIBs could address. Electrode surface coating helps extend LIB lifespan, with atomic layered deposition (ALD) as the preferred method due to its precise thickness control and ability to coat various substrates. However, despite the extensive research on cathode modification via ALD, there is limited work on understanding the reaction mechanisms between precursors and unconventional substrates, such as composite electrodes. In this study, synchrotron-based ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) is employed to... (More)

The expansion of the electric vehicle industry is driving increased demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which in turn creates challenges in material availability and waste management that more durable LIBs could address. Electrode surface coating helps extend LIB lifespan, with atomic layered deposition (ALD) as the preferred method due to its precise thickness control and ability to coat various substrates. However, despite the extensive research on cathode modification via ALD, there is limited work on understanding the reaction mechanisms between precursors and unconventional substrates, such as composite electrodes. In this study, synchrotron-based ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) is employed to investigate the surface evolution of a LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 (NMC811) cathode during the initial stages of TiO2 formation via ALD. The operando and in situ APXPS data suggest that a hydroxylation step is essential for the initiation of TiO2 growth on a NMC811 composite electrode. The persistent appearance of –CF2 peaks implies that the deposition does not occur on the polymer binder. The findings of this study offer a deeper understanding of the surface chemistry during ALD half-cycles on cathode substrates, aiding in the optimization of the deposition process.

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Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; ; ; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Ambient pressure XPS, Atomic layer deposition, Electrode coating, NMC811, Precursor, Substrate, Titanium oxide
in
Applied Surface Science
volume
718
article number
164900
publisher
Elsevier
external identifiers
  • scopus:105018964162
ISSN
0169-4332
DOI
10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164900
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
ee1a9299-640a-45e8-9a73-1f25716b2fff
date added to LUP
2026-01-29 15:17:29
date last changed
2026-01-29 15:18:42
@article{ee1a9299-640a-45e8-9a73-1f25716b2fff,
  abstract     = {{<p>The expansion of the electric vehicle industry is driving increased demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which in turn creates challenges in material availability and waste management that more durable LIBs could address. Electrode surface coating helps extend LIB lifespan, with atomic layered deposition (ALD) as the preferred method due to its precise thickness control and ability to coat various substrates. However, despite the extensive research on cathode modification via ALD, there is limited work on understanding the reaction mechanisms between precursors and unconventional substrates, such as composite electrodes. In this study, synchrotron-based ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS) is employed to investigate the surface evolution of a LiNi<sub>0.8</sub>Mn<sub>0.1</sub>Co<sub>0.1</sub>O<sub>2</sub> (NMC811) cathode during the initial stages of TiO<sub>2</sub> formation via ALD. The operando and in situ APXPS data suggest that a hydroxylation step is essential for the initiation of TiO<sub>2</sub> growth on a NMC811 composite electrode. The persistent appearance of –CF<sub>2</sub> peaks implies that the deposition does not occur on the polymer binder. The findings of this study offer a deeper understanding of the surface chemistry during ALD half-cycles on cathode substrates, aiding in the optimization of the deposition process.</p>}},
  author       = {{Llanos, Princess Stephanie and Ahaliabadeh, Zahra and Miikkulainen, Ville and Kokkonen, Esko and Jones, Rosemary and Urpelainen, Samuli and Kallio, Tanja}},
  issn         = {{0169-4332}},
  keywords     = {{Ambient pressure XPS; Atomic layer deposition; Electrode coating; NMC811; Precursor; Substrate; Titanium oxide}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Elsevier}},
  series       = {{Applied Surface Science}},
  title        = {{Operando and in situ APXPS investigation of the atomic layer deposition of a metal oxide coating on a Ni-rich cathode}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164900}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.164900}},
  volume       = {{718}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}