The next generation of batteries with ۳D printing

Structural design, shape fabrication, and device assembly are key factors to consider in the design of high-performance rechargeable batteries (REBs). A well-designed structure can effectively improve the utilization of the internal space and surface of the electrode, thereby improving the electrochemical performance of REBs [۱]. Three-dimensional (۳D) printing is an emerging advanced manufacturing technology that can be used to fabricate energy storage devices from the nanoscale to the macroscale. As a new manufacturing technique, additive manufacturing (AM) or ۳D printing is a set of processes that create ۳D objects layer by layer based on monomer interactions of light, thermal filament, laser powder, or mechanical cutting of ink based on interactions The use of this technique offers better performance due to increased surface area and ۳D structures, and is becoming increasingly popular due to its rapid prototyping capabilities, cost and time efficiency, and wide range of raw materials. Among many different applications, AM has facilitated the synthesis/fabrication of new materials, the design of innovative structures, and the targeting of new applications [۲]. Overall, ۳D structured REBs provide a valuable opportunity for high-power, micro-scale energy storage devices. Currently, ۳D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has been widely used in the fabrication of ۳D structural REBs due to its unique ability to rapidly fabricate complex ۳D architecture. Numerous ۳D printed electrodes and electrolytes for REB have been reported in recent years. However, the structural features of ۳D printed electrodes/electrolytes and the regulatory effects of ۳D structures on performance have rarely been discussed in previous reviews. Therefore, it is very important to comprehensively summarize and understand the characteristics of various ۳D printed electrode/electrolyte structures and their effect on performance for further structural design, technology development, and battery optimization [۳]. In this paper, cathode printing protocols, morphology, electrochemical properties of NCM cathode are studied, and the raw materials, technologies, and structures are explained to provide a basic understanding of ۳D printed batteries and provide an outlook on ۳D printing technology in line with design. and optimize the fabrication of efficient electrodes for the next generation of high-performance energy storage devices