Abstract
The rapid development of flexible energy storage devices is crucial for various applications. However, it is still difficult to manufacture functional flexible electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) in one single process due to many different types of materials being used in EDLCs. This paper presents a novel method of manufacturing highly flexible EDLCs by using an open source 3D printer. The EDLC components were fabricated using a single paste extrusion in a layer wise manner. The detailed fabrication process for a highly flexible EDLCs device has been demonstrated, where acetoxy silicone was used as the flexible substrate. The purpose of this study has been to develop a single continuous manufacturing process for EDLC and to investigate the electrochemical performances of 3D printed flexible supercapacitors. Mechanical bending tests were carried out to prove the stability of the electrochemical performance and flexibility of the 3D printed supercapacitors.
Highlights
The development of energy storage devices has faced major technological challenges during the past few decades
The relationship between the capacitance values of individual Electrical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) and their series and parallel circuits measured by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) tests strictly comply with the principle of energy storage
A flexible and stable electrical double layer capacitor has been developed in this study, which can be manufactured in one continuous process by a 3D printer, i.e. an extrusion system
Summary
The development of energy storage devices has faced major technological challenges during the past few decades. The advantages of additive manufacture have been applied previously in the development of flexible supercapacitors, but it is still a challenge to achieve a good and stable working performance, under mechanical bending conditions [29,30]. Other advantages of this process are that it allows complex shaped supercapacitors to be made, flexibility in packaging due to a variety of 3D shapes, and the manufacturing of 3D electronic structures for consumers. This study has addressed the above key challenges and developed a novel 3D printing method for manufacturing flexible supercapacitors, by one single continuous process and using low-cost flexible silicone structural materials that are compatible with the electrode, current collector and electrolyte materials
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