{"title":"Electrodeposition of metal foils for battery current collectors: status and challenges","authors":"Atsushi Kitada","doi":"10.1016/j.ensm.2025.104073","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"The pursuit of reliable and sustainable energy storage solutions has driven continuous development of rechargeable lithium ion batteries (LIBs). While substantial progress has been made in the exploration of active materials and battery electrolytes, innovation is also necessary in the metal foils used as current collectors, which are crucial for electron transport between the electrode and external circuits. The manufacturing process, particularly shifting from roll process to electrolytic process, i.e. thinner foils with low cost, can offer potential improvements in energy density and cost. However, challenges associated with replacing the rolling process with electrolytic one are not well recognized, even by battery or electroplating researchers. Therefore, this review aims to provide an updated overview of the electrodeposition process for metals, especially stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium, which can be used as current collector foils but currently manufactured by roll process. The first part of the review introduces the basic properties of several current collector metals. The manufacturing process for electroplated copper foil, which is already widely industrialized, is also briefly explained. The second part addresses the current issues of electrodeposition of stainless steel alloys (which are difficult to improve in terms of crystallinity), as well as aluminum and titanium (which cannot be electroplated from aqueous solutions). The final part provides perspectives for “metal on plastic” foils where additional electrolytic treatment should be engaged toward practical use. Overall, this review provides new insights and guidelines for the development of next-generation current collector foil processing that leverage the expertise of electrolytic processes.","PeriodicalId":306,"journal":{"name":"Energy Storage Materials","volume":"74 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":18.9000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Energy Storage Materials","FirstCategoryId":"88","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ensm.2025.104073","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, PHYSICAL","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
The pursuit of reliable and sustainable energy storage solutions has driven continuous development of rechargeable lithium ion batteries (LIBs). While substantial progress has been made in the exploration of active materials and battery electrolytes, innovation is also necessary in the metal foils used as current collectors, which are crucial for electron transport between the electrode and external circuits. The manufacturing process, particularly shifting from roll process to electrolytic process, i.e. thinner foils with low cost, can offer potential improvements in energy density and cost. However, challenges associated with replacing the rolling process with electrolytic one are not well recognized, even by battery or electroplating researchers. Therefore, this review aims to provide an updated overview of the electrodeposition process for metals, especially stainless steel, aluminum, and titanium, which can be used as current collector foils but currently manufactured by roll process. The first part of the review introduces the basic properties of several current collector metals. The manufacturing process for electroplated copper foil, which is already widely industrialized, is also briefly explained. The second part addresses the current issues of electrodeposition of stainless steel alloys (which are difficult to improve in terms of crystallinity), as well as aluminum and titanium (which cannot be electroplated from aqueous solutions). The final part provides perspectives for “metal on plastic” foils where additional electrolytic treatment should be engaged toward practical use. Overall, this review provides new insights and guidelines for the development of next-generation current collector foil processing that leverage the expertise of electrolytic processes.
期刊介绍:
Energy Storage Materials is a global interdisciplinary journal dedicated to sharing scientific and technological advancements in materials and devices for advanced energy storage and related energy conversion, such as in metal-O2 batteries. The journal features comprehensive research articles, including full papers and short communications, as well as authoritative feature articles and reviews by leading experts in the field.
Energy Storage Materials covers a wide range of topics, including the synthesis, fabrication, structure, properties, performance, and technological applications of energy storage materials. Additionally, the journal explores strategies, policies, and developments in the field of energy storage materials and devices for sustainable energy.
Published papers are selected based on their scientific and technological significance, their ability to provide valuable new knowledge, and their relevance to the international research community.