High-performance, printable quasi-solid-state electrolytes toward all 3D direct ink writing of shape-versatile Li-ion batteries

The era of miniaturized and customized electronics requires scalable energy storage devices with versatile shapes. From the perspective of manufacturing, direct ink writing (DIW)-based 3D printing has attracted un-precedented interest, paving the way to demonstrate micro-batteries with design freedom and outstanding performance. Despite demands for all-printed Li-ion batteries with maskless processing, most of the efforts have been dedicated to developing printable active electrodes or building the 3D architecture, remaining challenges in both manufacturing and printable materials toward form-free, all 3D DIW printed Li-ion batteries. Herein, we present all 3D DIW printed, scalable shape versatile Li-ion batteries (ADP-LIBs) with high-performance, printable gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs). The rheological optimization of DIW printable inks for solid-state current col-lectors, electrodes, electrolytes, and packaging enables us to demonstrate well-defined shape-versatile ADP-LIBs with reliable extrusion. In particular, UV-curable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and ethoxylated trimethylol-propane triacrylate (ETPTA) monomers provide thixotropic fluid behaviors and a mechanical framework in the quasi-solid-state electrolytes, respectively, which results in high-throughput and mechanically robust printed electrolyte layers. Our ADP-LIBs demonstrate a great deal of promise as a realistic solution for powering the target applications on-demand with esthetic versatility, free-form factors, and competitive electrochemical performance.

Automated summary

The era of miniaturized and customized electronics requires scalable and versatile energy storage devices. Direct ink writing (DIW)-based 3D printing technology has shown potential in manufacturing micro-batteries with design freedom and outstanding performance. However, there are still challenges in terms of manufacturing and printable materials for all 3D DIW printed Li-ion batteries. This study presents a solution by optimizing the rheological properties of DIW printable inks and using UV-curable polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and ethoxylated trimethylol-propane triacrylate (ETPTA) monomers to achieve reliable extrusion and high-throughput printed electrolyte layers.