Fiber-reinforced CNT-integrated quartz fabrics as multifunctional electrodes for structural lithium-ion batteries

Abstract

The long-term stability of lithium-ion batteries is a critical factor limiting their broader adoption in multifunctional and structural energy storage systems. However, conventional metallic current collectors tend to be heavier and less mechanically adaptable than fiber-based materials such as quartz woven fabrics (QWFs), particularly when structural integration is required. Quartz fabrics, composed primarily of silica, offer high thermal stability, mechanical robustness, and low areal weight, making them attractive candidates for multifunctional electrode platforms. In this study, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were directly grown on QWFs via chemical vapor deposition, using Ni nanoparticles as catalysts and C₂H₄ as the carbon source. The growth process was optimized by varying temperature over a 2-h duration to form uniform, conductive CNT networks. The resulting CNT-coated QWFs functioned dually as current collectors and active electrode supports, delivering an initial discharge capacity of 201.54 mAh g^-1 at a 0.1 C-rate. The electrodes retained 89.8% of their initial capacity after 50 cycles at a 0.5 C-rate, demonstrating excellent rate capability and cycling stability, with performance nearly equivalent to that of conventional Al foil-based electrodes. Although quartz fabrics are inherently insulating, the CNT coating formed an integrated conductive network, enabling efficient charge transport while maintaining the structural integrity required for load-bearing applications. This work presents a novel fiber-based electrode design for structural lithium-ion batteries, offering a promising route toward lightweight, mechanically integrated energy storage systems suitable for advanced electronics, electric vehicles, and aerospace technologies.

Keywords

Structural lithium-ion batteries / carbon nanotube / quartz woven fabric / chemical vapor deposition

References

[1] Zeng X,Abd El-hady D.Commercialization of lithium battery technologies for electric vehicles.Adv Energy Mater2019;9:1900161

[2] Larcher D.Towards greener and more sustainable batteries for electrical energy storage.Nat Chem2015;7:19-29

[3] Li M,Chen Z.30 years of lithium-ion batteries.Adv Mater2018;30:1800561

[4] Galos J,Best AS,Wang C.Energy storage structural composites with integrated lithium-ion batteries: a review.Adv Mater Technol2021;6:2001059

[5] Saeed G,Byun JS.Two-dimensional (2D) materials for 3D printed micro-supercapacitors and micro-batteries.Energy Mater2024;4:400017

[6] Li W,Xie Q,Chi M.Long-term cyclability of NCM-811 at high voltages in lithium-ion batteries: an in-depth diagnostic study.Chem Mater2020;32:7796-804

[7] Andre D,Lamp P.Future generations of cathode materials: an automotive industry perspective.J Mater Chem A2015;3:6709-32

[8] Xu X,Liu Z.FeP@C nanotube arrays grown on carbon fabric as a low potential and freestanding anode for high-performance Li-ion batteries.Small2018;14:1800793

[9] Liu S,He C.Long cycle life lithium ion battery with lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (NCM) cathode.J Power Sources2014;261:285-91

[10] Asp LE,Lindbergh G,Zenkert D.Structural battery composites: a review.Funct Compos Struct2019;1:042001

[11] Park MY,Kim DK.Perspective on carbon fiber woven fabric electrodes for structural batteries.Fibers Polym2018;19:599-606

[12] Wang M,Guo Z.Two-step carbon coating onto nickel-rich LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ cathode reduces adverse phase transition and enhances electrochemical performance.Electrochim Acta2023;454:142339

[13] She S,Hong Z,Wu Y.Surface coating of NCM-811 cathode materials with g-C₃N₄ for enhanced electrochemical performance.ACS Omega2022;7:24851-7

[14] Goh MS,Shin H.Unlocking high-efficiency lithium-ion batteries: sucrose-derived carbon coating on nickel-rich single crystal Li[Ni_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1]O₂ cathodes.Surf Interfaces2024;51:104721

[15] Zhuang Y,Yan J.Regulating the heat generation power of a LiNi_0.8Co_0.1Mn_0.1O₂ cathode by coating with reduced graphene oxide.ACS Appl Energy Mater2022;5:4622-30

[16] Gakis GP,Trompeta AA,Charitidis CA.Unraveling the mechanisms of carbon nanotube growth by chemical vapor deposition.Chem Eng J2022;445:136807

[17] Welna DT,Taylor BE,Durstock MF.Vertically aligned carbon nanotube electrodes for lithium-ion batteries.J Power Sources2011;196:1455-60

[18] Bitew Z,Beyene Y.Nano-structured silicon and silicon based composites as anode materials for lithium ion batteries: recent progress and perspectives.Sustain Energy Fuels2022;6:1014-50

[19] Chen J,Liu Y.Direct growth of flexible carbon nanotube electrodes.Adv Mater2008;20:566-70

[20] Liu X,Oh SW.Carbon nanotube (CNT)-based composites as electrode material for rechargeable Li-ion batteries: a review.Compos Sci Technol2012;72:121-44

[21] Wang X,Yan Y.CNT-based electrodes with high efficiency for PEMFCs.Electrochem Solid-State Lett2005;8:A42

[22] Hwang TH,Kong BS,Choi JW.Electrospun core-shell fibers for robust silicon nanoparticle-based lithium ion battery anodes.Nano Lett2012;12:802-7

[23] Peng H,Peterson DE,Jia Q.Composite carbon nanotube/silica fibers with improved mechanical strengths and electrical conductivities.Small2008;4:1964-7

[24] Landi BJ,Cress CD,Raffaelle RP.Carbon nanotubes for lithium ion batteries.Energy Environ Sci2009;2:638-54

[25] Varzi A,Wohlfahrt-mehrens M,Schütz W.Study of multi-walled carbon nanotubes for lithium-ion battery electrodes.J Power Sources2011;196:3303-9

[26] Pampal ES,Simon B.A review of nanofibrous structures in lithium ion batteries.J Power Sources2015;300:199-215

[27] Wu Y,Jiang K.Applications of carbon nanotubes in high performance lithium ion batteries.Front Phys2014;9:351-69

[28] Qian W,Guo C.Enhanced activation and decomposition of CH₄ by the addition of C₂H₄ or C₂H₂ for hydrogen and carbon nanotube production.J Phys Chem C2008;112:7588-93

[29] Wei T,Hauke F.Recent advances in graphene patterning.Chempluschem2020;85:1655-68

[30] Shabaker J,Cortright R.Sn-modified Ni catalysts for aqueous-phase reforming: characterization and deactivation studies.J Catal2005;231:67-76

[31] Ma Z,Liu C.Production of hydrogen peroxide from carbon monoxide, water and oxygen over alumina-supported Ni catalysts.J Mol Catal A Chem2004;210:157-63

[32] Wang G,Yao J,Liu H.Preparation and characterization of carbon nanotubes for energy storage.J Power Sources2003;119-121:16-23

[33] Wang X,Chang H.Preparation of short carbon nanotubes and application as an electrode material in Li-ion batteries.Adv Funct Mater2007;17:3613-8

[34] Yang S,Song H.A comparative study of electrochemical properties of two kinds of carbon nanotubes as anode materials for lithium ion batteries.Electrochim Acta2008;53:2238-44

[35] Pushparaj VL,Kumar A.Flexible energy storage devices based on nanocomposite paper.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A2007;104:13574-7 PMCID:PMC1959422