Printable Ink Design towards Customizable Miniaturized Energy Storage Devices

Abstract

Miniaturized electrochemical energy storage devices (MEESDs) are widely utilized in microelectronic devices because of their lightweight, controllable size and shape, excellent electrochemical performance and flexibility, and high durability. Current strategies, such as electrodeposition, electrospinning, and chemical-vapor-deposition methods, for fabricating MEESDs still encounter the persistent limitations on low fabrication efficiency, tedious preparation procedure, and non-scalability. To address this challenge, the new emerging three-dimensional (3D) printing technology has been developed for customizable MEESDs because of its scalability, low-cost, high manufacturing efficiency, and complexity capability. Among the 3D printing technologies, a direct-ink-writing (DIW) technique with well-controlled geometry and architecture of the electrode structures, is an ideal tool for building high-efficient MEESDs via designing the ink components and regulating the device configurations. In light of this, our Perspective provides fundamental insights into rational printable inks design principles towards high-performance MEESDs. We start the discussion on the design principle of printable inks, and the selection criteria for electrode materials and electrolytes inks. Then, the recent progress in fabricating the high-performance MEESDs via the DIW technology is summarized. Finally, the existing problems and future perspectives on functional MEESDs fabrication are also discussed. We envision that this review serves as the basic design principles of 3D printing ink for the rational design of high-efficient MEESDs.

“Water‐in‐Salt” Electrolytes for Supercapacitors: A Review

“…The problem of fossil energy exhaustion and environment pollution results in the urgent need for the sustainable development, in which the high‐performance electrochemical energy storage system such as rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors is the key technology. Rechargeable batteries have high energy density but suffer from the finite power density [1–3] . By comparison, supercapacitors possess high power density, fast charge‐discharge performance and ultra‐long cycle life, but relatively low energy density.…”

Additive Manufacturing of Electrochemical Energy Storage Systems Electrodes

“…Shear-thinning behavior demonstrates decreased ink viscosity and increased shear stress, which is favorable in the DIW technique, as high yield stress and mechanical strength of inks are necessary to maintain the shape of extruded 3D architecture. [63] The mechanical properties and viscoelasticity of the ink greatly influence the rheological behavior and thus the printed electrode properties. Desired viscosity (0.1-10 3 Pa s) ensures the smooth extrusion of the ink during printing, whereas the mechanical strength of the electrode structure is influenced by consistent deposition and fast drying process of the ink.…”

“…Desired viscosity (0.1-10 3 Pa s) ensures the smooth extrusion of the ink during printing, whereas the mechanical strength of the electrode structure is influenced by consistent deposition and fast drying process of the ink. [63] The relationship between the shear stress and viscosity of the ink can be described by the following model (Equation (1)).…”

High‐Performance PVA/PEDOT:PSS Hydrogel Electrode for All‐Gel‐State Flexible Supercapacitors

“…Recently, researchers have devoted tremendous efforts to preparing flexible supercapacitors with bendable, foldable, and high softness characteristics. [ 8–12 ] Generally, a flexible supercapacitor is composed of flexible electrodes and a gel‐state solid electrolyte. The flexible electrodes consist of electroactive materials that provide electrochemical performance and an elastic matrix that acts as the flexible skeleton.…”