Fully-Printed Flexible Aqueous Rechargeable Sodium-Ion Batteries

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Electrochemistry
• Energy Storage

Background:

• Flexible aqueous rechargeable sodium-ion batteries (ARSIBs) are crucial for wearable electronics due to their safety and flexibility.
• Existing ARSIBs face challenges in mechanical stability and manufacturing.
• Developing robust and easily manufactured flexible batteries is essential for portable energy solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create the first fully-printed flexible ARSIBs with enhanced mechanical properties.
• To investigate the performance of novel electrode materials and electrolytes for ARSIBs.
• To demonstrate the potential of these batteries in practical wearable electronic applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilized screen-printing technique for fabricating fully-printed flexible ARSIBs.
• Employed Na3V2(PO4)2F3/C (NVPF/C) as the cathode and 2% nitrogenous carbon-loaded Na3MnTi(PO4)3/C (NMTP/C/NC) as the anode.
• Developed a 17 m NaClO4-ethylene glycol (EG) mixed electrolyte for low-temperature performance.

Main Results:

• Achieved appealing mechanical performance in the fully-printed flexible ARSIBs.
• The NMTP/C/NC//NVPF/C batteries demonstrated a discharge capacity of 40.1 mAh g−1 and an energy density of 40.1 Wh kg−1.
• The mixed electrolyte enabled battery operation at -20 °C, showcasing excellent cycle stability.

Conclusions:

• The developed fully-printed flexible ARSIBs offer a promising solution for portable energy storage in wearable devices.
• The screen-printing method provides a facile manufacturing route for flexible batteries.
• These batteries exhibit potential for integration into various form factors, such as energy wristbands for electronic watches.