Multifunctional structural lithium ion batteries based on carbon fiber reinforced plastic composites

In this study, the feasibility of multifunctional structural lithium ion batteries (LIBs) based on carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) composites was investigated. T700S carbon fabrics undertook the roles of both reinforcements and electrode materials in structural batteries. The co-continuous structural electrolytes were prepared by in-situ cure of liquid electrolyte and epoxy resin with the abilities of both load bearing and lithium ion transport. The structural electrolytes were cured with the carbon fabrics to process the CFRP composites. With the increase of liquid electrolyte/epoxy mass ratio, a trade-off relationship was found between the mechanical performance and electrochemical properties of both the structural electrolytes and the corresponding CFRP composites. The CFRP composites based on liquid/epoxy structural electrolytes were proved to have the ability to insert and extract lithium, and can be considered as the potential candidate for the multifunctional structural LIBs. The strategy of functionalizing the LIBs with structural performance via CFRP composites could be helpful for the overall system to provide a mass reduction as well as increase the energy efficiency at a system-level.