Paper based Micro-batteries: Application of Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) and Metal Microparticles Dispensing Techniques

To accommodate the down-scaling electronic industry, the energy storage changes into micro-scale or even nano-scale. Therefore, development of new methods and materials that can provide microwattsis highly needed. We focus on using thin-film solid-state micro-batteries that are basically relied on electrochemical potential difference of metals. Zinc and Copper are used as the electrodes and paper as a separator with an electrolyte layer. Two different methods were developed for the fabrication of paper batteries, physical vapor deposition (PVD) of thin films and the chemical sintering of metal microparticles. Zinc and Copper were chosen as proof-of-concept electrodes because the fabrication methods are fairly straightforward. Paper has been chosen as a separator applications mainly thanks to its high porosity and robust chemical and mechanical stability [1]. The popular ink printing technology has been explored and the results are promising including carbon nanotubes to the metal nanoparticles. Dispensing an ionic liquid using a special printer with the electrodes, researchers from UC Berkeley have achieved good results [2, 3].