Electrophoretic deposition of Li4Ti5O12 nanoparticles with a novel additive for Li-ion microbatteriesElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available. See DOI: 10.1039/c5ra11039d

Electrophoretic deposition is presented as a handy and cost-effective technique to transfer nano-sized (powdered) electrode materials into thin- or thick-films for electrochemical energy storage applications. Electrophoretic deposition of Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 nanoparticles is studied to prepare thick films as anodes for Li-ion microbatteries with MgCl 2 additives - for the first time - as an efficient charging agent and a source of binder simultaneously. Electrochemical measurements in lithium test cells confirmed that the prepared thick-film Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 electrode has good discharge (lithiation) capacities and cyclability, as well as good electronic and Li + transport properties. Indeed, electrophoretic deposition is demonstrated to be a suitable alternative to prepare self-supported micro- or nano-structured Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 for Li-ion microbatteries. This work underscores electrophoretic deposition as a suitable alternative to prepare self-supported micro- or nano-structured Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 for 3D Li-ion microbatteries.