Coating processes for solid-state batteries

In order to manufacture solid-state batteries on an industrial scale, the shaping processes for the new materials must first be examined in detail within the process chain. To this end, researchers at Fraunhofer ZESS are processing sulfide, polymer, and oxide solid electrolytes. In order to address challenges such as the production of thin, dense separator layers and electrode layers with a high active mass fraction, coating processes for cathodes and anodes must be evaluated. In relation to the cathode, shaping processes such as extrusion, squeegee coating, and slot die coating are being investigated. For the anode, thin-film technologies such as physical and chemical vapor deposition (PVD/CVD) and galvanostatic deposition are being considered.

Cathodes and separators can be manufactured on a laboratory scale to evaluate new compositions and on a larger scale using discontinuous sheet-to-sheet coating to test process parameters. The work also serves to scale up an automated, continuous roll-to-roll process in the drying room. These coating processes are analyzed using specially developed inline methods.