Ellipsometry-based failure analysis on translucent LiMn0.5Ni0.3Co0.2O2 in half-cell thin-film lithium-ion battery on glass substrates

Simple one-step synthesis of LiMn0.5Ni0.3Co0.2O2 thin film on Al-doped ZnO transparent current collector has been achieved and integrated on regular glass substrates using a pulsed laser deposition technique. The crystal structure, texture properties, film morphology, and electrochemical properties are compared before and after galvanostatic cycling process. The Al-doped ZnO current collector shows excellent stability after the cycling. Simple ellipsometry measurement coupled with AFM and SEM has been successfully applied to analyze the film failure mode in the half-cell. The successful integration of the cathode on glass substrates and the application of optical-based failure analysis provide an insightful approach for potential in operando analysis on solid-state batteries.