How to Pack a Punch – Why 3D Batteries are Essential

Abstract

The miniaturization of implantable medical devices, remote microsensors and transmitters, “smart” cards, and Internet of Things (IoT) systems is impeded by the absence of high‐performance micro‐size power sources. Insufficient areal energy density from thin‐film planar microbatteries has inspired a search for three‐dimensional microbatteries (3DMB) with the use of low‐cost and efficient micro‐ and nano‐scale materials and techniques. In our short review, we present our outlook on the state‐of‐the‐art development of advanced 3D‐microbattery designs and methods of the fabrication of electrode materials. Special attention is given to the 3D‐printing approach, which holds many opportunities for the mass production of microbatteries and their direct integration with electronic devices.

3D Printing Enables Customizable Batteries

“…Each post coupled with the surrounding electrolyte and counter electrode forms an entire cell unit, and all units are connected in parallel. [67] Evenly spaced electrode posts are usually produced by etching and electro-deposition, such as silicon anodes. [13] D. Golodnitsky et al [68] developed a prototype concentric micro-battery by FDM.…”

“…A uniform electrolyte film covers the electrode surface, and the remaining space is filled with the active material of the counter electrode. Each post coupled with the surrounding electrolyte and counter electrode forms an entire cell unit, and all units are connected in parallel [67] . Evenly spaced electrode posts are usually produced by etching and electro‐deposition, such as silicon anodes [13] .…”

Electrodeposition of Li-Ion Cathode Materials: The Fascinating Alternative for Li-Ion Micro-Batteries Fabrication

“…3,15 Based on the cell configuration and electrode architecture, LIMBs can be categorized into two main classes: 2D and 3D electrode design LIMBs. 13,16,17 The 2D configuration is the most widely adopted LIMB configuration; it refers to a LIMB with stacked thin-film electrodes separated by an electrolyte. 18 The 2D LIMBs have outstanding power capabilities when the electrodes have small thicknesses, but their high power capability come at the cost of limited areal energy density and capacity.…”

Facile Electrodeposition and Aging to Generate 3-Dimensional α-MnO2 Battery Cathodes

“…However, low areal active material loading on 2Dcathodes limits the areal capacity and energy densities (0.05-1.0 mAh cm −2 ). 1 Thicker cathode coatings have been a topic of recent interest and implemented in some commercial batteries. [2][3][4][5][6][7] Higher areal capacity and energy density can be achieved by increasing the coating thickness.…”

“…There are notable efforts to develop 3D cathodes with high areal loading in both aqueous and nonaqueous energy storage devices. 1,7,[10][11][12][13][14][15][16] These designs typically use a 3D current collector such as carbon cloth, graphene foam, and nickel foam or can be directly prepared by 3D direct ink writing. 11,[16][17][18][19] Additionally, 3D porous electrodes provide additional battery specific benefits.…”