Electrochemical performance and thermal stability of LiCoO2 cathodes surface-modified with a sputtered thin film of lithium phosphorus oxynitride

A lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON) glass-electrolyte thin film is coated on a lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) composite cathode by means of a radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering method. The effect of the LiPON coating layer on the electrochemical performance and thermal stability of the LiCoO2 cathode is investigated. The thermal stability of the delithiated LiCoO2 cathode in the presence of liquid electrolyte is examined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It is found that the LiPON coating, improves the rate capability and the thermal stability of the charged LiCoO2 cathode. The LiPON film appears to suppress impedance growth during cycling and inhibits side-reactions between delithiated LiCoO2 and the electrolyte.