3D-Printed Carbon-Based Electrochemical Energy Storage Devices: Material Design, Structural Engineering, and...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Advanced Manufacturing
• Electrochemical Energy Storage

Background:

• Global energy transition necessitates advanced energy storage solutions.
• Conventional electrode materials face limitations in specific surface area, ion diffusion, and mechanical stability.
• These limitations hinder achieving high energy density, power density, and cycling durability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advancements in 3D-printed carbon-based electrodes for energy storage.
• To highlight the role of 3D printing in overcoming material limitations.
• To explore future research directions for industrial-scale applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing 3D printing for precise microstructural and morphological control of carbon electrodes.
• Designing biomimetic topologies (e.g., hierarchical porous networks, aligned ion channels).
• Implementing functional hybridization strategies (e.g., carbon/metal oxide, carbon/biomass composites).

Main Results:

• 3D printing significantly enhances energy/power densities and cycling stability of electrodes.
• Biomimetic designs and hybridization optimize charge transfer and mechanical endurance.
• Review covers supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, and metal-air batteries.

Conclusions:

• 3D-printed carbon electrodes offer a pathway to next-generation energy storage systems.
• Future research should focus on 4D printing, multi-material systems, and AI-guided design.
• Multidisciplinary convergence is key for bridging lab prototypes to industrial applications.