Laser Patterning of High‐Mass‐Loading Graphite Anodes for High‐Performance Li‐Ion Batteries

Abstract Given the ongoing efforts to build Li‐ion batteries with higher volumetric energy and power densities, the research on enhancing Li‐ion transport within compressed high‐mass‐loading electrodes at fast cycling conditions is imperative. In this work, we show that the rate capability of graphite electrodes with high areal capacity of 4.5 mAh cm −2 and density of 1.79 g cm −3 (15 % of porosity) can be considerably improved by laser patterning, namely by the fabrication of arrays of vertically aligned channels serving as diffusion paths for rapid Li‐ion transport. Resultant laser patterned graphite electrodes delivered enhanced volumetric capacity as compared to that of non‐patterned electrodes (450 vs . 396 mAh cm −3 at C/2 rate). The reduction of the total steady‐state concentration drop within the graphite electrodes after their patterning was also assessed.