Micro patterned test cell arrays for high-throughput battery materials research

A cost effective and reliable technology for the fabrication of electrochemical test cell arrays for battery materials investigation, based on batch fabricated glass micro packages was developed and tested. Semi-automatic micro dispensing was investigated as a process for the standardized application of different electrode materials and SiO₂-based separator. The process shows sufficient reproducibility over the whole range of investigated materials, especially for the cells with interdigital (side-by-side) electrodes. Such setup gives rise to an improved reliability and reproducibility of electrochemical experiments. The economic fabrication of our test chips by batch processing allows for their single-use in electrochemical experiments, herby preventing contamination issues due to repeated use as in conventional laboratory test cells. In addition, the integration of micro pseudo reference electrodes was demonstrated. Thus, the presented test cell array together with the developed electrode/electrolyte deposition technology represents a highly efficient tool for combinatorial and high throughput testing of battery materials on system level (full cell tests). The method will speed up electrochemical materials research significantly.