Wearable Lithium Ion Batteries Based on Carbon Nanotubes and Graphene

With the rapid development of wearable electronics, it is highly required to develop corresponding wearable power sources, especially a wearable lithium ion battery which possesses wide voltage window, high energy density, and excellent cyclic stability. Carbon nanotubes and graphene possess outstanding properties including both high electrical conductivity and excellent mechanical performance which make them suitable to realize wearable lithium ion batteries. Here, the latest research on wearable lithium ion batteries based on carbon nanotubes and graphene is reviewed. Two approaches to realize a wearable lithium ion battery are summarized. First, a variety of fiber electrodes, including carbon nanotubes and graphene fibers, can be used to fabricate fiber-shaped lithium ion batteries which can be further woven into a wearable battery. Moreover, it is also effective to explore cloth-like electrodes, such as carbon textiles and daily clothes modified with conducting carbon nanotubes or graphene sheets, for wearable lithium ion batteries at a large scale. Finally, the remaining challenges and possible research directions in this booming area are discussed.