Powder-impregnated carbon fibers with lithium iron phosphate as positive electrodes in structural batteries

A structural battery is a multifunctional battery that can carry a load while storing energy. Structural batteries have been a cutting-edge research focus in the last decade and are mainly based on polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-carbon fibers (CFs). In this work, positive electrodes based on PAN-carbon fibers were manufactured with powder impregnation (siphon impregnation) technique using a water-based slurry containing lithium iron phosphate (LFP) as the active electrode material and the water-soluble binder polyethylene glycol (PEG). Different coating compositions, electrode-drying temperatures, and coating parameters were investigated to optimize the coating uniformity and the electrochemical performances. Scanning electron microscopy results showed that the electrode materials coat the CFs uniformly, conformably, and individually. Electrochemical characterization of pouch cells shows that the electrodes containing 6 wt% PEG dried at 140 degrees C have the best battery performance, delivering a first discharge capacity of 151 mAh g-1 and capacity retention higher than 80% after 100 cycles. Moreover, excellent capacity reversibility was achieved when the electrodes were cycled at multiple C-rates attesting to their stability. The results demonstrate that CFs perform excellently as current collectors in positive electrodes.

Automated summary

This study manufactured positive electrodes based on PAN-carbon fibers for structural batteries using a water-based slurry containing lithium iron phosphate and water-soluble binder polyethylene glycol. By optimizing different coating compositions, electrode-drying temperatures, and coating parameters, the electrode materials were successfully coated uniformly, conformably, and individually on the carbon fibers. Electrochemical characterization showed that the electrodes with 6% PEG dried at 140 degrees C had the best battery performance, with a first discharge capacity of 151 mAh g-1 and capacity retention higher than 80% after 100 cycles. The stability of the electrodes was also demonstrated through excellent capacity reversibility at multiple C-rates.