Lightweight 3D-net Copper-Plated Polyimide Current Collector for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Current collector (CC) is an indispensable constituent in lithium-ion battery (LIB). It plays an important role in supporting electrode materials and conducting electrons between the electrode materials and the external circuit. However, the density of metal CC is high and it hinders the lightweight development of LIB. In this work, lightweight three-dimensional (3D) CC was designed and prepared via a facile electroless plating method. The 3D copper-plated polyimide CC has a low areal density. The 3D structure of Cu-PI CC 2 can facilitate Li⁺ transfer between electrode materials and electrolyte owing to electrolyte can permeate through electrode. Moreover, the lithium titanate anode assembled with the 3D copper-plated polyimide Cu-PI CC 2 exhibited enhanced cycling and rate performance.