Three-dimensional printing of high-mass loading electrodes for energy storage applications

Abstract

Nanostructured materials afford a promising potential for many energy storage applications because of their extraordinary electrochemical properties. However, the remarkable electrochemical energy storage performance could only be harvested at a relatively low mass-loading via the traditional electrode fabrication process, and the scale of these materials into commercial-level mass-loading remains a daunting challenge because the ion diffusion kinetics deteriorates rapidly along with the increased thickness of the electrodes. Very recently, three-dimensional (3D) printing, a promising additive manufacturing technology, has been considered as an emerging method to address the aforementioned issues where the 3D printed electrodes could possess elaborately regulated architectures and rationally organized porosity. As a result, the outstanding electrochemical performance has been widely observed in energy storage devices made of 3D printed electrodes of high-mass loading. In this review, we systemically introduce the basic working principles of various 3D printing technologies and their practical applications to manufacture high-mass loading electrodes for energy storage devices. Challenges and perspectives in 3D printing technologies for the construction of electrodes at the current stage are also outlined, aiming to offer some useful opinions for further development for this prosperous field. (Figure presented.).