3D printing of anode architectures for customized lithium-ion batteries

The expansion of renewable energies is increasing the demand for affordable and enhanced energy storage systems. Here, 3D lithium-ion battery concepts represent a promising approach to improve e.g., energy and power density as well as lifetime of batteries. This work explores the potential of the laser induced forward transfer (LIFT) method as a tool for the realization of new types of 3D electrode architectures on structural and compositional level. Using a pulsed nanosecond UV laser, several parameters were examined to determine the variables affecting reliable material and voxel transfer, including laser fluence as a function of donor layer thickness and donor paste-to-substrate distances, as well as the influence of viscosity and solid content of the anode paste. In addition, a 3D anode is produced by combining laser structuring with subsequent localized laser printing with silicon-rich anode paste.