Monolithic integrated micro-supercapacitors with ultra-high systemic volumetric performance and areal output voltage

Abstract

Monolithic integrated micro-supercapacitors (MIMSCs) with high systemic performance and cell-number density are important for miniaturized electronics to empower the Internet of Things. However, fabrication of customizable MIMSCs in an extremely small space remains a huge challenge considering key factors such as materials selection, electrolyte confinement, microfabrication and device-performance uniformity. Here, we develop a universal and large-throughput microfabrication strategy to address all these issues by combining multistep lithographic patterning, spray printing of MXene microelectrodes and controllable 3D printing of gel electrolytes. We achieve the monolithic integration of electrochemically isolated micro-supercapacitors in close proximity by leveraging high-resolution micropatterning techniques for microelectrode deposition and 3D printing for precise electrolyte deposition. Notably, the MIMSCs obtained demonstrate a high areal-number density of 28 cells cm−2 (340 cells on 3.5 × 3.5 cm2), a record areal output voltage of 75.6 V cm−2, an acceptable systemic volumetric energy density of 9.8 mWh cm−3 and an unprecedentedly high capacitance retention of 92% after 4000 cycles at an extremely high output voltage of 162 V. This work paves the way for monolithic integrated and microscopic energy-storage assemblies for powering future microelectronics.