Flexible aqueous lithium-ion batteries with ultrahigh areal capacity and long cycle life. (March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhou, Y.; Wang, Z.; Lu, Y.-C.
• Is Part Of: Materials today energy. Volume 19(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-03
• Subjects: Batteries -- Three-dimensional flexible electrodes -- High mass loading -- Graphite felt; Energy development -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Energy policy -- Periodicals; Energy development; Energy industries; Energy policy; Power resources; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtener.2020.100570
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2468-6069

Abstract

Abstract: Practical application of flexible batteries have been hindered by low areal capacity, low stability, and safety concerns. This work reports a facile and scalable infiltration method to fabricate free-standing three-dimensional (3D) flexible electrodes using LiTi2 (PO4 )3 (LTP) and LiMn2 O4 (LMO) as examples for aqueous Li-ion batteries. Benefiting from the unique 3D electrode architecture with fast electron and ion transport, flexible LTP-LMO pouch cells deliver an ultrahigh areal capacity (e.g., 3–23 mAh cm −2, LTP loading = 24–200 mg cm −2 ), high rate capability, and stable cycling stability (e.g., 93% and 72% capacity retention after 500 and 3000 cycles, respectively, at 14–15 mA cm −2 ). High mechanical and electrochemical stability of the cell is demonstrated with a high capacity retention of 96% after 1000 dynamic bending cycles. Pouch cells with a high capacity (0.53 Ah for 4 × 6 cm 2 cell) and high voltage (3 V/9 V) are demonstrated. This work offers a low-cost and effective strategy to fabricate high areal capacity electrodes with stable electrochemical performance, high mechanical strength, and excellent flexibility. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A facile infiltration method was developed to fabricate flexible electrodes. Flexible aqueous lithium-ion batteries achieved an ultrahigh areal capacity of 23 mAh cm −2 . High mechanical and electrochemical stability of the battery was demonstrated.