3D printing of high-performance micro-supercapacitors with patterned exfoliated graphene/carbon nanotube/silver nanowire electrodes

Micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) show great potential as on-chip energy storage devices for portable electronics. The major flaw of thin-film MSCs is their low energy density. To improve the energy density, thicker electrodes are required. However, the fabrication of MSCs with thick electrodes remains a challenge. In this work, a novel 3D printing method is employed to fabricate high-performance MSCs with interdigitated exfoliated graphene (EG)/carbon nanotube (CNT)/silver nanowire (AgNW) electrodes. The nanowelding of AgNW junction plays a critical role in the realization of 3D printing. To enhance the electrochemical performances of EG, phosphorus atoms are incorporated into the carbon framework with 1.7 at%. The areal capacitance of the 3D printed MSC is 21.6 mF cm(-2) at a scan rate of 0.01 Vs(-1). The areal energy density of the MSC ranges from 0.5 to 2 mu Wh cm(-2) with a maximum power density of 2.5 mW cm(-2).

Automated summary

In this study, high-performance MSCs were fabricated using 3D printing technology with interdigitated exfoliated graphene/carbon nanotube/silver nanowire electrodes. The nanowelding of AgNW junction and incorporation of phosphorus atoms were utilized to improve electrochemical performances, achieving increased electrode thickness and energy density. The 3D printed MSC exhibited an areal capacitance of 21.6 mF cm(-2) at a scan rate of 0.01 Vs(-1) and areal energy density ranging from 0.5 to 2 mu Wh cm(-2) with a maximum power density of 2.5 mW cm(-2).