A Structural Battery and its Multifunctional Performance

• DOI: 10.1002/aesr.202000093
• Publication Date: 2021-01-27T15:46:27Z
• Authors: Leif E. Asp; Karl Bouton; David Carlstedt; Shanghong Duan; Ross Harnden; Wilhelm Johannisson; Marcus Johansen; Mats K. G. Johansson; Göran Lindbergh; Fang Liu; Kevin Peuvot; Lynn M. Schneider; Johanna Xu; Dan Zenkert
• Keywords: Other Chemical Engineering; solid states; fibrous materials; lithium-ion batteries; self-sustaining materials; TJ807-830; carbon fiber composites; Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering; 7. Clean energy; 01 natural sciences; Renewable energy sources; 0104 chemical sciences; Materials Chemistry; multifunctional materials; biomimetics; Composite Science and Engineering; TD1-1066

Engineering materials that can store electrical energy in structural load paths can revolutionize lightweight design across transport modes. Stiff and strong batteries that use solid‐state electrolytes and resilient electrodes and separators are generally lacking. Herein, a structural battery composite with unprecedented multifunctional performance is demonstrated, featuring an energy density of 24 Wh kg−1 and an elastic modulus of 25 GPa and tensile strength exceeding 300 MPa. The structural battery is made from multifunctional constituents, where reinforcing carbon fibers (CFs) act as electrode and current collector. A structural electrolyte is used for load transfer and ion transport and a glass fiber fabric separates the CF electrode from an aluminum foil‐supported lithium–iron–phosphate positive electrode. Equipped with these materials, lighter electrical cars, aircraft, and consumer goods can be pursued.