Characterizations of Al-Y thin film composite anode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Al-Y thin films synthesized by the magnetron sputtering technique were evaluated as a possible anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The optimum composition is Al0.87Y0.13, which delivers an initial capacity of 625 mAh/g and a capacity loss of 23% during the successive 70 cycles. The improved electrochemical performance, especially the cycling ability, could be attributed to the formation of a hybrid composite where Al nanocrystals are homogenously dispersed in a conductive amorphous Al-Y matrix. This result shows that nanostructural composites could be a way to address the inherent problems with Al-based lithium storage compounds. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.