Development of multilayer coating system based on electrophoretic deposition process

Abstract

The automatic multilayer coating system based on electrophoretic deposition process, including coating, drying, and washing, is proposed for stable preparation of multilayered films. As demonstration of the system, multilayered films consisting of layers of LiNi_1/3Mn_1/3Co_1/3O₂ (NMC) and Al₂O₃ particles were fabricated under constant applied voltage and current modes. The smoothly coated films were formed without any cracks or defects in both modes. The films with uniform thickness of each layer (average thickness of NMC and Al₂O₃ are 3.2 and 6.5 µm respectively) were obtained at low constant current density. Results indicate that ordered film structure such as thickness of inside layers and layers number are controllable by simply varying the process flow conditions. It is expected that the system is able to be employed to make not only multilayered films but also particle-reinforced composite materials.