Synthesis of Boron-Doped C-60 Film Using Plasma-Assisted Thermal Evaporation Technique and its Electrochemical Characterizations

Abstract

Boron doped C-60 (B:C-60) thin films were synthesized by a plasma-assisted thermal evaporation system. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) and X-ray photo electron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to investigate the morphology and structural characteristics of the films, respectively. The electrochemical characterization of B:C-60 films was then introduced as a coating layer for silicon film anodes in a lithium ion battery. Typical electrochemical measurements such as cyclic voltammetry (CV) and impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize the B:C-60 coated silicon electrodes. CV profiles implied that B:C-60 coating layer could act as a passive layer with respect to the insertion and extraction of lithium ions into the silicon film electrode. Moreover, impedance results showed that the coating layer contributed to the smaller charge transfer resistance at the electrode/electrolyte interface.