Achieving mechanically sturdy properties and high energy density for Zn-ion structural batteries based on carbon-fiber-reinforced composites

The composites structural batteries obtain more and more attention for lightweight in vehicles and aircraft, which needs the structural batteries to have outstanding mechanical properties and electrochemical performance, simultaneously. Herein, the lightweight carbon fiber reinforced Zn-ion structural battery was developed by the vacuum infusion layup process in the open-air environment. The fabricated composites structural devices exhibited a high tensile strength of 179.5 MPa and flexural strength of 229.6 MPa, suggesting the excellent stiffness of the structural battery. Furthermore, the composites Zn-ion structural battery realized a discharge specific capacity of 155 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and a corresponding energy density of 205 Wh kg−1. The relatively high capacity retention of 85.3% was also achieved after 300 cycles at 1 A g−1. This work will inspire more research works to develop safe structural batteries with high energy density.