A review on the recent advances in binder-free electrodes for electrochemical energy storage application

Progress in portable electronics has catalysed the research for developing efficient electrochemical energy storage devices. Recently, binder-free synthesis techniques have been introduced, enhancing the values of the electrochemical performance parameters of the materials closer to their theoretical values. Among various binder-free synthesis techniques such as chemical vapour deposition (CVD), electrophoretic deposition (EPD), inkjet printing, electrostatic spray deposition (ESD), sputtering, etc., microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis is attaining significant attention from the scientific community due to lower cost, environmental friendliness, and lower reaction time. This review focuses on fabricating binder-free electrodes using microwave-assisted hydro thermal synthesis and compares its advantage with the conventional hydrothermal route for electrochemical energy storage applications. Further, the review critically analyses the commercial viability of microwave assisted hydrothermal fabrication of the electrodes for electrochemical energy storage devices. Finally, the review identifies the research gap and future opportunities in the binder-free approach to fabricate electrodes for electrochemical energy storage devices.

Automated summary

This review discusses the progress in binder-free synthesis techniques, focusing on microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis for fabricating electrodes in electrochemical energy storage devices. It compares the advantages of this approach with conventional methods and critically analyzes its commercial viability and future opportunities.