Conformal coatings for lithium-ion batteries: A comprehensive review

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have revolutionized the world of portable power, enabling the proliferation of electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. However, these remarkable energy storage devices are not without their challenges, ranging from safety concerns to capacity degradation. Conformal coatings have emerged as a transformative technology to address these issues by providing a protective and uniform layer over critical battery components, such as the anode, cathode, and separator. The innovations in technologies relating to multifunctional conformal coatings have taken their application a step ahead of only providing safety. Multifunctional coatings have enhanced battery performance, developed solid-state battery technology, and allowed 3D and nano-architectured LIBs to be easily fabricated. Materials like conductive polymers, polymer electrolytes, and graphene are leading the research for multifunctional coatings for high-performance LIBs, increasing their conductivity, cycling capacity, and more. This comprehensive review aims to provide a detailed understanding of the recent innovations in the field in the realms of varied materials and methods utilized for the conformal coating of LIBs.