Michael Wendler, Gunter Hübner, Martin Krebs

Abstract
Printed rechargeable (Nickel/Metal hydride) and non-rechargeable (Zinc/Manganese Dioxide) batteries are produced via screen printing onto a film substrate. First trials were carried out using standard electrode pastes (slurries) as they are used for conventional batteries. Due to the poor print quality characteristics of these pastes the reproducibility of the layers was not satisfying; especially the generated film thickness was very hard to determine. Therefore new, improved electrode pastes had to be developed that are specifically tailor-made for the screen printing process. Finally by using the new electrode pastes a battery cell was printed and successfully tested for the electrochemical performance (cycling) at the VARTA Microbattery GmbH.

Keywords: screen printing, printed batteries, thin flexible batteries, NiMH, rechargeable, non-rechargeable, electrode pastes
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Andrew Henry, Scott Williams

Abstract
We have developed a new cathode ink formulation for the fabrication of a primary MnO2- Zn alkaline battery power source on paper using flexography. Our long-term research objective is to establish a print-centric fabrication protocol that would be leveraged to explore new materials for power source production. In this paper, we report a novel approach that involves the in situ synthesis of the manganese oxide cathode. Our approach would provide a production advantage over the current industry practice of dispersing an expensive electronics-grade manganese oxide pigment in a vehicle. We also have developed ink that incorporated nano-particle zinc metal in a printable vehicle system. Our paper-based battery, printed with the new cathode ink system, delivered a favorable discharge capacity relative to an existing alkaline battery, but several challenges were realized. A discussion about our battery performance and future developmental pathways is provided.

Keywords: printed electronics, alkaline battery, flexography, manganese oxide, zinc metal, anode, cathode, electrolyte, primary battery
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Anne-Gaëlle Mercie, Rémi Vincent, Christine Nayoze, Anne Blayo, Arthur Soucemariandin

Abstract
In this work, cathode catalyst layers of membrane electrode assemblies for proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) were made by using inkjet printing. First, formulation of catalyst inks comprising carbon-supported platinum and Nafion® polymer solution was developed by testing different dispersion techniques and adapting the solvents to the process and substrates. Inkjet printed catalyst layers were then compared with electrodes realized with conventional deposition methods: blade coating, screen printing and spray coating.

Best inks characteristics meet inkjet requirements concerning dispersion, stability and ejectability. Morphology observations show that all catalyst layers have similar thicknesses. The inkjet printed MEAs single cell performances are equivalent to those obtained with the conventional processes, achieving power densities of 650mW/cm² for inkjet printing in automotive conditions. Thus, this work stands for an important step in the use of inkjet printing for MEAs manufacturing. The versatility of this process offers new opportunities to optimize the structure of the electrodes and platinum utilization in order to increase MEAs performances and reduce manufacturing costs.

Keywords: inkjet printing, PEM fuel cells, membrane electrode assembly (MEA), catalyst ink formulation, single cell performances
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it