Manufacturing Technology 2025, 25(5):589-596 | DOI: 10.21062/mft.2025.067

Strategy for Fabricating Tree-Like Branched Al-Al₂Cu Heterogeneous Nanostructures for Future Application in Battery Anodes

Elena Chochoľaková ORCID..., Lucia Bajtošová ORCID..., Nikoleta Štaffenová ORCID..., Jan Hanuš ORCID..., Peter Minárik ORCID..., Miroslav Cieslar ORCID...
Charles University, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Ke Karlovu 3, 12116 Prague, Czech Republic

Tree-like branched Al-Al₂Cu heterogeneous nanostructures with a high surface area ratio were successfully fabricated using magnetron sputtering of Al matrix and Cu nanoparticles, followed by in situ annealing. The method enables precise control over the composition and morphology of the nanosized columnar Al₂Cu phase grown on the substrate and embedded in the Al matrix. The formation of Al₂Cu begins at the initial locations of sputtered Cu nanoparticles. Further annealing promotes their coalescence and coarsening. Orientation relationships examined in several Al₂Cu particles revealed a semi-coherency with the Al matrix. The high surface area and tunable composition highlight the potential of these nanostructures for advanced battery anodes, with tailored geometry achieved through controlled processing conditions.

Keywords: Al-Al₂Cu nanostructures, Magnetron sputtering, In situ TEM annealing
Grants and funding:

The authors would like to thank the support from Grant Agency of Charles University under the project 280223

Received: August 9, 2025; Revised: November 13, 2025; Accepted: November 19, 2025; Prepublished online: December 4, 2025; Published: December 8, 2025  Show citation

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Chochoľaková E, Bajtošová L, Štaffenová N, Hanuš J, Minárik P, Cieslar M. Strategy for Fabricating Tree-Like Branched Al-Al₂Cu Heterogeneous Nanostructures for Future Application in Battery Anodes. Manufacturing Technology. 2025;25(5):589-596. doi: 10.21062/mft.2025.067.
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