Cathode Architectures for Rechargeable Ion Batteries: Progress and Perspectives

To satisfy the rising demand for energy, battery electrodes with higher loading, to simultaneously increase areal energy and power, are necessary. Nevertheless, in conventional thin-film electrodes, there is mutual exclusion between energy (capacity) and power. Increasing the thickness of electrodes alone is not feasible since this will lead to reductions in ion-diffusion efficiency, as well as electrode flexibility. To address this difficulty, 3D electrode architectures, especially cathode architectures, are proposed to pave a new path for the design and optimization of battery devices. Recent research suggests that 3D cathode architectures may optimize the configuration and engineering processes of battery technologies. Herein, the state-of-the-art progress of cathode architectures in various rechargeable-ion-battery technologies is summarized. Emphasis is placed on the different architecture strategies, areal loading, and mechanical understanding of 3D electrodes. Upcoming research directions are further outlined for future development in this field.