Screen Printing for Energy Storage and Functional Electronics: A Review

Printed electronics utilize traditional printing techniques to develop low-cost, flexible electronic devices such as batteries, supercapacitors or sensors. This review concentrates on the role of screen printing in the production of energy storage devices, emphasizing its adaptability to meet the requirements for customizable electronic devices for daily, medical, and industrial applications. Key aspects of the screen printing process, including ink viscosity, mesh selection, and squeegee dynamics, are discussed in detail due to their significant influence on the quality and functionality of the final products. The review explores the use of advanced materials, such as graphene, carbon nano-onions, carbon nanotubes and graphite, which enhance the mechanical and electrical properties of batteries. Advances in substrates are also examined, highlighting their ability to accommodate diverse device geometries and enhance the versatility of applications, as well as, the sustainability of materials and methods used in screen printing, advocating for environmentally friendly practices. Overall, this paper provides a comprehensive overview of screen printing in the context of printed battery production, underscoring its potential to fulfill future requirements for high-performance, flexible, and eco-friendly electronic devices. The findings aim to guide potential research and optimize screen printing techniques and materials to enhance device performance in various applications.