Abstract
Structural batteries have emerged as a promising alternative to address
the limitations of conventional batteries, with the potential to
integrate energy storage into stationary constructions or mobile
vehicles/planes. Developing multifunctional composites is effective to
realize the structural plus concept, which can reduce the inert weight
and improve the performance of the energy storage beyond the material
level (e.g., cell- or system-level). Specifically, multifunctional
composites in structural batteries can work as both a functional
composite electrode to store charges and a structural composite to bear
mechanical loads. However, they suffer from the trade-off between
mechanical properties and energy storage performance due to the
scientific challenges of unstable interfaces and the lack of viable
manufacturing approaches. In this review, we first introduce recent
research developments of electrodes, electrolytes, separators, and
interface engineering specific to structure plus composites for
structure batteries, and then summarize the mechanical and
electrochemical characterizations. We discuss in detail the reinforced
multifunctional composites for structure batteries, the exploration of
multifunctionalities on different composite structures and battery
configurations, and then conclude with a perspective on future
opportunities. The knowledge synthesized in this review contributes to
the advancement of this field and facilitates the realization of
efficient and durable energy storage systems integrated into structural
components.