Laser-Induced Microfabrication of Carbon Nanostructure: Processing Mechanism and Application for Next-Generation Battery Technology

Abstract

Direct laser writing with a single beam of multiple parallel optical configurations facilitate the production of conductive carbon-based nanomaterials, carbon-based catalysts, micropatterned carbon surface, hierarchical 3D porous carbon structure, numerous carbon-based composites, and so on. This chemical-free, cost-effective, binder-free, maskless patterning technology minimizes the environmental impact and enables more sustainable production of diverse carbon-based materials with a wide range of applications. In this review, 1st a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art advancements and formation mechanism of laser processed carbon (LPC) is provided from various carbon-rich precursors (polyimide/PI, polytetrafluoroethylene, poly (ether sulfone)), as well as natural resources like wood, lignin, clothes, paper, and even food are explored. Additionally, the article reports a comprehensive overview of how different laser types, processing conditions, and environmental factors influence the resulting structure and surface chemistry of LPC. Next, specifically, the emerging applications of these LPC in battery technology are focused on. This includes the carbon anode of Li-ion/Na-ion battery, the current collector (CC) for Li-metal battery, electrode for Li-sulfur battery, the catalyst for Li-air batteries, and electrodes for Zn-ion and Zn-air battery. The article concludes with the insights and future perspectives on the advancement of this processing technology for next-generation smart and sustainable battery materials.