Three-dimensional Printing of Supercapacitors based on Different Electrodes

Abstract

A fused deposition modeling (FDM) printingmachine and a paste extrusion system were integrated, andsupercapacitor samples were fabricated using a combination of twothree-dimensional (3D) printing techniques. The FDM provided asimple method for creating a frame of electric double layer capacitor(EDLC) samples. The paste extrusion system offered the possibilityof depositing different materials to complete the functions of theEDLC samples. A combination of these two 3D printing methodsoffered one continuous manufacturing process with a high accuracyof manufacturing. Different materials were used to build currentcollectors and electrodes. Silver and carbon conductive paints wereused as current collector materials. Different electrode materialsbased on activated carbon (AC), carbon conductive paint, and theircombination were prepared as three different slurries and depositedto form the electrodes of EDLC samples. The results showed thatsilver conductive paint was a suitable material for constructingcurrent collectors, and carbon conductive paint mixed with AC washighly effective for use as an electrode material for supercapacitors.