Additive-Free MXene Ink for Printable 3D Micro-Supercapacitors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The fabrication of 3D micro-supercapacitors and batteries faces challenges due to the need for highly conductive and electrochemically active electrode materials that are not readily printable, requiring additives that can affect electrical properties and necessitate post-processing, while existing inks struggle with shear-thinning behavior and viscoelastic properties for efficient 3D printing.
Innovation Solution
Development of ink compositions comprising highly concentrated 2D materials like MXene in solvents, which exhibit viscoelastic and electrochemical properties without additives, enabling 3D printing of micro-supercapacitors and batteries with enhanced electrical conductivity and energy storage performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional printable inks are used with additives to adjust rheological properties, then the ink exhibits shear-thinning behavior and viscoelastic properties for 3D printing, but the additives affect electrical and electrochemical properties and require removal after printing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes harmful additives (surfactants, secondary solvents, polymeric binders, conductive additives) from the ink formulation entirely. Instead, it uses pure 2D material flakes (MXene, graphene, MoS2) dispersed in a single solvent to achieve both printability and electrical conductivity without any additives that would need to be removed or that would compromise electrical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and concentration parameters by using ultrahigh concentrated 2D material flakes (achieved through delamination and centrifugation) to create an additive-free ink that maintains both rheological properties for printing and electrical properties for conductivity. The ink achieves shear-thinning behavior through the concentrated flake structure rather than additives.
2Quantity of substance
If solid particle electrode materials from commercial LIBs are used, then high energy density is achieved, but the materials are not readily printable and require various additives to be converted to printable inks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms solid particle electrode materials into printable form by changing their physical state to ultrathin 2D flakes through delamination processes. The flake concentration, size distribution, and morphology are optimized to achieve both high energy density (retaining substantial active material) and printability (shear-thinning behavior, shape retention, substrate adhesion) without requiring polymeric binders or other additives.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite ink system where 2D material flakes (MXene, graphene, MoS2) are dispersed in a single solvent to form a printable slurry. This composite structure combines the high conductivity and electrochemical activity of the 2D materials with the rheological properties needed for printing, eliminating the need for separate binder and conductor additives.
3Quantity of substance
If 3D architectures are used to load more active materials per unit area, then areal performance increases, but scalable fabrication of 3D devices with high-performance electrode materials remains challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables self-service fabrication where the additive-free 2D material ink automatically achieves the desired 3D structure, conductivity, and electrochemical performance without requiring post-processing steps for additive removal or additional fabrication steps. The ink self-assembles into functional 3D electrodes with high areal capacity that can be directly used in scalable manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes multiple parameters simultaneously: flake concentration (ultrahigh), flake size distribution (controlled by centrifugation), solvent composition (single solvent system), and printing parameters (extrusion pressure, deposition rate) to achieve scalable fabrication of 3D devices with high areal capacity. The process parameters are tuned to maintain both printability and high material loading.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The 2D material-based ink compositions facilitate scalable fabrication of 3D micro-supercapacitors and batteries with improved electrical conductivity, energy density, and reduced ion diffusion paths, allowing for room-temperature printing on various substrates without the need for conductive additives or polymeric binders, resulting in enhanced electrochemical performance and safety.
Implementation Method 1
Such ink compositions also exhibit advantageous shear thinning behavior that can provide uniform flow when used for 3D printing
Implementation Method 2
the ink should exhibit shear-thinning behavior and viscoelastic properties, which enable each layer to retain its shape while still providing enough fluidity for substrate and interlayer adhesion
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides ink compositions that comprise a 2D material and a solvent and the method to fabricate such compositions. The disclosure also provides the composition and method of fabricating 3D MSCs comprising such ink compositions. Additionally, the disclosure provides a conducting material comprising a battery composition, a 2D material, and a solvent that results in the formation of a composition that may be used for 3D printing of batteries.