Printing nanostructured carbon for energy storage and conversion applications

Abstract

Printing is rapidly emerging as a novel fabrication technique for energy storage and conversion technologies. As nanostructured carbons replace traditional materials in energy devices due to their unique structures and properties, intensive research efforts have focused on developing methods to print these new materials. Inkjet printing, screen printing, transfer printing, and 3D printing are increasingly used to print carbon nanomaterials. After a brief introduction of the basic operating principles of each of these techniques, methods for printing fullerenes, graphene, carbon nanotubes, carbon black, and activated carbon are reviewed. Subsequently, the applications of printing techniques for fabricating batteries, supercapacitors, fuel cells, and solar cells are discussed, followed by a perspective on the current challenges and future outlook of printing nanostructured carbon materials for these devices.