Percolative Metal Microweb-Based Flexible Lithium-Ion Battery with Fast Charging and High Energy Density.

Abstract

Flexible and high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) encounter challenges due to the inherent trade-offs in conventional electrode designs, particularly concerning mechanical flexibility and high energy density. Here, a novel percolative metal microweb-based electrode, fabricated via electrohydrodynamic processes, yielding a three-dimensional (3D) network structure with exceptional electrical properties and mechanical durability is introduced. This lightweight electrode design addresses the need for improved energy density by reducing the weight of the current collector, which typically accounts for more than 10% of the battery's weight. The 3D architecture of the electrode enhances the contact area with the electrolyte, thereby minimizing polarization voltage and improving lithium-ion diffusion. Furthermore, the low coating thickness-to-weight ratio promotes electron transfer and mitigates capacity fade at high current densities. The microweb-based full cell exhibits energy and power densities of 110 and 1,048 W kg⁻¹ at 10 C, respectively, which are the highest reported values among LIBs utilizing similar materials. The design of the electrode proposed in this study is expected to significantly contribute to the development of wearable and flexible electronics.