Figure 3: Comparison of paper-based origami LIBs with conventional material-based LIBs.

For an origami LIB using carbon nanotube (CNT)-coated paper current collectors, after cyclic electrochemical charge and discharge, as well as many cycles of mechanical loads, (a) optical and (b) scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of Li₄Ti₅O₁₂ (LTO) electrodes in the region of a crease as indicated by the magenta dashed lines; (c) optical and (d) SEM images of LiCoO₂ (LCO) electrodes in the region of a crease as indicated by the magenta dashed lines. (b) and (d) show the entire region of the crease. For an origami LIB using conventional collectors (Cu and Al), after one electrochemical charge and without mechanical loads, (e) optical and (f) SEM images of graphite electrodes on Cu current collector in a region of crease as indicated by the magenta dashed lines; (g) optical and (h) SEM images of LCO electrodes on Al current collector in a region of crease as indicated by the magenta dashed lines. (f) and (h) show the entire region of the crease. Scale bar in a, c, e and g are 2 mm. Scale bar in b, d, f and h are 100 μm.