Argonne maintains a wide-ranging science and technology portfolio that seeks to address complex challenges in interdisciplinary and innovative ways. Below is a list of all articles, highlights, profiles, projects, and organizations related specifically to nanofabrication.
Efficient, p-n junction diodes for power electronics and rectification applications
Intellectual Property Available to License
US Patent 10,186,584
Fabrication of P-N Junction Device Through Diamond/2D Materials Heterojunction (ANL-IN-15-097)
A method of forming a p-n junction device comprises providing a base layer including a p-type diamond. A monolayer or few layer of a transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) is disposed on at least a portion of the base layer so as to form a heterojunction therebetween. The TMDC monolayer is an n-type layer such that the heterojunction between the intrinsic and p-type diamond base layer and the n-type TMDC monolayer is a p-n junction.
Benefits
Efficient, p-n junction diodes for power electronics and rectification applications
Increasing structural stability and cell capacity of battery electrodes
Intellectual Property Available to License
US Patent 8,936,831
Device and Method for Fluidizing and Coating of Ultrafine Particles (ANL-IN-11-048)
Figure 1. TEM 2.5-nm-thick nano-coated ultrathin film on lithium-ion cathode particle surface; coating is highly uniform, in con
The Invention
An ultra thin surface coating composed of metal oxides that, when applied to granular electrode materials on a large scale, promises to solve the structural instability of electrode materials and the resulting rapid fade of cell capacity at high voltages and high temperatures in lithium-ion batteries.
Argonne’s innovation, a powder nanocoating technology using metal oxides, has the following features:
Gas-phase surface chemical reactions;
A layer of extremely uniform metal oxide ultrathin film on granular cathode materials with precisely controlled surface morphology: smooth, conformal, and pin-hole free so that the electrode degradation reactions in the battery can be suppressed; and
Film so ultra thin and precisely controlled in its thickness that the transfer of the charge across the electrode/electrolyte interface takes place with a very limited, or even a reduced, interface resistance.
In developing a surface coating for the electrodes of lithium-ion batteries, Argonne scientists sought to satisfy two requirements simultaneously:
Create a uniform coating that will fully isolate electrodes from the electrolyte, and
Create an ultra thin film that will allow the lithium ion and electron to easily tunnel without a large increase in impedance.
Conventional technologies have been unable to fulfill those requirements and have proved incapable of precisely controlling the coating film properties of film thickness and morphology. As a result, battery performance can be unstable.
Figure 2. Comparison of cycling performances of Li-ion batteries made of LiNi1/3Co1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode powders with and without (b
Benefits
The new powder coating technology provides:
Smooth fluidization of ultrafine powders via non-linear processing control;
Online, real-time monitoring of powder fluidization status and surface chemical reaction;
Well-controlled properties of the nanocoated film (conformity, thickness, and composition); and
A novel process that is scalable, less energy-intensive, and at a lower cost.
Lithium-ion batteries made of these novel coated materials offer:
Isolation of electrode from electrolyte, creating greater structural stability and effectively enhancing capacity retention;
Greater stability;
Longer lifespan;
Higher energy/power densities;
Greater safety; and
Reduced cost and increased performance (figure 2) reliability.
Applications and Industries
Hybrid electric vehicles
Solar cells
Ultracapacitors
Cosmetics
Developmental Stage
Proof of concept. Lab scale has been demonstrated; small pilot scale up is on schedule.
New ALD reaction chamber containing 12-in x 12-in piece of plate glass
The Invention
Argonne has developed new thin-film, transparent conducting oxide (TCO) coatings for large panel displays and photovoltaic (PV) cells.
These new TCO coatings are deposited using atomic layer deposition (ALD). ALD employs gaseous precursors to make thin films with thicknesses from atomic mono layer to micron dimensions. This process enables atomic-level control over film thickness and composition, and eliminates line-of-sight or constant-exposure constraints which limit conventional film deposition processes.
Argonne has scaled up the ALD process and successfully demonstrated conformal coating of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) TCO over 3D nano- and micro-structures at this scale.
Benefits
Improves flat-panel performance due to thinner, more transparent conductive coatings;
Reduces materials consumption and expense due to improved coating precision;
Provides uniform coating of complex, 3D nano-structures such as electrodes for next-generation PV cells;
Eliminates line-of-sight or constant-exposure constraints which limit conventional film deposition processes; and
Reduces product rejection resulting from defect free coatings.
Applications and Industries
Photovoltaics
Electronics
Developmental Stage
Proof of concept. The production cost analysis showing advantages over state-of-the-art manufacturing has not yet been completed by Argonne. While the coating process has been demonstrated at scale, the performance of a flat panel display or PV cell has not been physically demonstrated in a full scale device.
The Nanoscience and Technology division at Argonne National Laboratory hosts the Center for Nanoscale Materials, a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science user facility, in addition to performing world-class nanoscience.
