Architectural Design for Flexible Solid-State Batteries

Flexible solid-state rechargeable batteries are in high demand for integration with wearable electronics. Because of their high energy density, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the preferred choice over other rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors for this niche market. The requirements in the ability to sustain reversible mechanical deformation pose great challenges over the conventional liquid electrolyte-based LIBs. This chapter summarizes developments in electrode architecture design and integration with solid-state electrolytes and separators toward flexible LIBs. Hybrid electrode materials based on emerging high-capacity active materials deposited on stable three-dimensional (3D) carbon frameworks have been demonstrated as a promising solution. Soft gel polymer electrolytes can be integrated with such 3D electrode architectures as both the nonleaking electrolyte and the flexible separator because of their high ionic conductivity and ability to infiltrate the 3D electrode architecture. Further development in processing technology may create scalable production of future flexible LIBs.