Laser-Induced Graphene for Flexible Energy Storage Applications
Summary
Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG) denotes a class of porous carbon structures formed by direct laser irradiation of polymeric or carbonaceous precursors. The photothermal conversion during laser scribing induces rapid pyrolysis and graphitisation, yielding three-dimensional networks of graphene-like domains with high surface area, electrical conductivity and mechanical flexibility. These features make LIG a promising electrode material for flexible energy storage devices, chiefly supercapacitors, which demand rapid charge–discharge kinetics and structural resilience under bending or stretching. LIG electrodes can be patterned in custom geometries, enabling on-demand fabrication and integration into wearable and portable electronics. Recent efforts have focused on enhancing charge storage through compositional tuning, defect engineering and hybridisation with pseudocapacitive materials, while also improving mass-producibility via roll-to-roll laser processing. Collectively, advances in LIG synthesis, defect healing and device architecture have propelled the field towards flexible, high-performance energy storage solutions suitable for next-generation self-powered systems.
Research from Nature Portfolio
Recent studies have addressed intrinsic defects in laser-induced graphene that compromise electronic performance. One work reports the application of flash Joule heating to as-synthesised LIG to repair topological defects in milliseconds while preserving porosity. Raman analysis reveals a marked decrease in defect density and a five-fold increase in conductivity. The treated LIG demonstrates exceptional flexibility and enables high-performance strain sensors with gauge factors surpassing those of untreated material by nearly an order of magnitude, paving the way for integrated flexible electronics that combine energy storage and sensing.
Laser-Induced Graphene for Flexible Energy Storage Applications publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in laser-induced graphene for flexible energy storage applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Laser-Induced Graphene (LIG): A porous, graphene-like carbon network formed by direct laser-induced pyrolysis of carbonaceous precursors.
Supercapacitor: An electrochemical energy storage device characterised by high power density and long cycle life, storing charge via electrostatic or pseudocapacitive mechanisms.
Joule Heating: The process by which electrical energy is converted into thermal energy, here used to anneal and repair graphene defects.
MXene: A family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides or nitrides employed to enhance capacitance through pseudocapacitive charge storage.
Hetero-nanostructure: A composite material in which nanoscale components of different composition or structure are integrated to synergistically improve functional properties.
References
- Light–Material Interactions Using Laser and Flash Sources for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications. Nano-Micro Letters (2024).
- Direct Laser Writing: From Materials Synthesis and Conversion to Electronic Device Processing. Advanced Materials (2024).
- Flash healing of laser-induced graphene. Nature Communications (2024).
- Laser-Induced MXene-Functionalized Graphene Nanoarchitectonics-Based Microsupercapacitor for Health Monitoring Application. ACS Nano (2023).
- Green supercapacitor patterned by synthesizing MnO/laser-induced-graphene hetero-nanostructures on wood via femtosecond laser pulses. Biochar (2024).
- Boron and fluorine Co-doped laser-induced graphene towards high-performance micro-supercapacitors. Carbon (2023).
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