Interface-Engineered Self-Healing Quasi-solid Fiber Battery with High Energy Density and Robust Mechanical Properties

Abstract

Nanocomposite technology is recognized as a general and effective strategy to enhance the performance of flexible energy storage devices. However, the enhancement of flexible batteries in nanocomposites is usually much lower than expected, which is mainly attributed to the poor interfacial interactions between active material and conductive substrate as well as sluggish Na⁺ diffusion kinetics and complex assembly techniques. It remains a huge challenge to simultaneously achieve good mechanical properties, excellent electrochemical performance, and high safety in flexible batteries. Here, we developed an interface engineering strategy to prepare a high-strength and high-toughness quasi-solid fiber battery using direct ink writing 3D printing, which was achieved by introducing borate ester dynamic crosslinking as bridging interaction with self-healing properties. This configuration exhibited a remarkably enhanced energy density (104 Wh kg⁻¹) and high power density (20.8 W kg⁻¹), with excellent strain (exceeding 25%) and outstanding thermal stability (200 °C), which exceeds those of previously reported. Density functional theory calculations further reveal the mechanism by which the interface engineering-based borate ester dynamic crosslinking affects the performance of fiber battery. Based on this excellent performance, fiber batteries are woven into a mobile phone pouch for wireless charging of wearable electronic devices. This work provides an effective route toward high-performance flexible energy storage devices for a broad range of applications.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords

Flexible fiber battery / Nanocomposite interfaces / Mechanical properties / Energy density / Power density

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Funding

Shanghai pilotProgram for Basic Research(22TQ1400100-8)

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Donghua University, Shanghai, China