Three-dimensional printed Li4Ti5O12@VSe2 composites as high-performance anode material in full 3D-printed lithium-ion batteries with three-dimensional -printed LiFePO4@AC/rGO cathode

Abstract

Currently, the development of high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with improved areal capacity is still challenging. The common strategy to improve areal capacity is to increase the thickness of electrode materials. However, the application of thick electrodes remains challenge due to poor mechanical properties, slow charge and ion transport, and poor electrolyte infiltration. In this study, thick electrodes are constructed by 3D printing a Li4Ti5O12@VSe2-based ink. The highly electrical conductor VSe2 on the Li4Ti5O12 surface improves the ion and charge transport and eases the internal resistance of the 3D-printed electrode during charge and discharge. As a result, LIBs employing these thick electrodes show a high-rate capability of 128.9 mAh/g at 10 C, improved areal capacities up to 6.2 mAh/cm2, and ultrastable cycling capability (84.5% of capacity retention after 1700 cycles). Moreover, full cells utilizing 3D-Li4Ti5O12@VSe2 as the anode and 3D-LiFePO4@AC/rGO as the cathode with 1.81 V potential yield a high specific capacity of 152.5 mAh/g at 0.1C, a high specific energy density of 276.025 Wh/kg, and a power density of 30.5 W/kg at 0.1C. This work paves the way to designing thick electrodes for high-performance LIBs.