High-Specific-Energy Self-Supporting Cathodes for Flexible Energy Storage Devices: Progress and Perspective

The development of flexible electronics technology has led to the creation of flexible energy storage devices (FESDs). In recent years, flexible self-supporting cathodes have gained significant attention due to their high energy density, excellent mechanical performance, and strong structural plasticity among various cathode materials. Flexible self-supporting cathodes enable larger active material loading capacity and conductive networks for electrodes, thereby perfectly meeting the mechanical and electrochemical performance requirements of FESDs. Currently, the focus of flexible self-supporting cathodes lies in exploring flexible substrates or novel binders to enhance the flexibility of conventional cathode materials. However, the flexibility of cathode poses challenges as they are primarily composed of transition metal oxides, resulting in limited research on their flexibility. A comprehensive review and prospective analysis are of utmost importance to effectively advance the progress of flexible self-supporting cathodes and propel their development forward. Herein, the present discourse delves into the latest advancements concerning flexible self-supporting cathode, focusing on synthesis methodologies, structural design approaches, and characterization parameters. Examining the current progress, the inherent advantages, existing challenges, and potential prospects of these materials are comprehensively elucidated and emphasized. The development of flexible electronics technology has led to the creation of flexible energy storage devices. Herein, this work discourse delves into the latest advancements concerning flexible self-supporting cathode, focusing on synthesis methodologies, structural design approaches, and characterization parameters. Examining the current progress, the inherent advantages, existing challenges, and potential prospects of these materials are comprehensively elucidated and emphasized. image