MORE | Spring 2023

3D Printing of Silicon Anode with Bioinspired Porous Structures via Vat Photopolymerization (VPP) for Battery Applications

The slurry casting method used in the fabrication of silicon electrodes for commercial batteries restricts the shape and design of the electrodes. In contrast, 3D printing technology allows for the creation of customized and miniaturized electrode designs with complex features and configurations. This research aims to overcome the limitations of conventional battery manufacturing methods by utilizing vat photopolymerization (VPP) to print electrodes with porous gyroid microstructures that compensate for the volume changes during charging and discharging cycles. The fabrication process involves doping the wax-cast polymer with silicon nanoparticles to create green samples, which are then sintered to produce pure silicon electrodes. By employing 3D printing and innovative design strategies, silicon electrodes with improved performance characteristics, such as high porosity and mechanical strength, can be achieved. This work specifically focuses on lithium batteries and aims to develop smaller and more efficient batteries with improved electrode designs.