3D Printed Graphene Based Energy Storage Devices

Abstract

3D printing technology provides a unique platform for rapid prototyping of numerous applications due to its ability to produce low cost 3D printed platforms. Herein, a graphene-based polylactic acid filament (graphene/PLA) has been 3D printed to fabricate a range of 3D disc electrode (3DE) configurations using a conventional RepRap fused deposition moulding (FDM) 3D printer, which requires no further modification/ex-situ curing step. To provide proof-of-concept, these 3D printed electrode architectures are characterised both electrochemically and physicochemically and are advantageously applied as freestanding anodes within Li-ion batteries and as solid-state supercapacitors. These freestanding anodes neglect the requirement for a current collector, thus offering a simplistic and cheaper alternative to traditional Li-ion based setups. Additionally, the ability of these devices’ to electrochemically produce hydrogen via the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as an alternative to currently utilised platinum based electrodes (with in electrolysers) is also performed. The 3DE demonstrates an unexpectedly high catalytic activity towards the HER (−0.46 V vs. SCE) upon the 1000th cycle, such potential is the closest observed to the desired value of platinum at (−0.25 V vs. SCE). We subsequently suggest that 3D printing of graphene-based conductive filaments allows for the simple fabrication of energy storage devices with bespoke and conceptual designs to be realised.

Towards smart free form-factor 3D printable batteries

“…This indicates the commonly observed lower conductivity of ionic liquid electrolytes. 25 However, since the charge/discharge overpotential of the cell is only slightly inuenced by the operation at different C-rates (Fig. 5e), we may suggest that the wettability of the printed LTO-PLA electrode by the ionic-liquid electrolyte is good.…”

Graphene Encapsulated Silicon Carbide Nanocomposites for High and Low Power Energy Storage Applications

“…One of the most successful (in terms of commercialisation) effective energy storage devices has been the lithium-ion battery (LIB). However, there needs to a rapid advancement within the research community to improve the energy storage capabilities of LIBs in order to foster a reliance upon current renewable energy systems [4]. The most common approach to improve the overall specific capacity and voltage capabilities of these LIBs is the exploration of an array of nanomaterials (as potential anodes and cathodes).…”

Additive manufacturing for energy storage: Methods, designs and material selection for customizable 3D printed batteries and supercapacitors

“…Solidification of each layer is principally based on crystallization and chain entanglement of the polymer, however, addition of additive materials can affect the properties and solidification process of the matrix polymer. Common additives used in polymer matrix for EESDs are various conductive materials like ABS/graphene [26], ABS/carbon [27], PLA/graphene [28] and even PLA/LTO/carbon and PLA/LFP/carbon [29]* which are essential for electrode fabrication in lithium ion batteries. A good example is a recent study [30]** where three conductive agents (Super-P, MWCNTs, graphene) and two active materials (Lithium titanate, lithium manganese oxide) were blended with PLA to test the printability, conductivity and charge storage capacity of the new composite.…”