Structural design of electrospun nanofibers for electrochemical energy storage and conversion

Nanofibers are widely used in electrochemical energy storage and conversion because of their large specific surface area, high porosity, and excellent mass transfer capability. Electrospinning technology stands out among the methods for nanofibers preparation due to its advantages including high controllability, simple operation, low cost, and wide adjustability. The practical performance of these fibers is largely determined by their structure. Thus, the development of functional nanofibers must start with the regulation of their structure which has been demonstrated as an effective approach to optimize the electrochemical performance of fiber-based electrodes. After a brief introduction of the principles for electrospinning, the dependence of the fibers’ structure on the electrospinning parameters is discussed, providing reliable guidance for the controlled modulation of fiber-based architectures. To highlight the advantages of controllability, the structures of the as-spun fibers are regulated at different scales, including the pores within the fibers, the morphology of the fibers, and the assembly manner of the fibers. Then, the use of these fibers for electrochemical energy storage and conversion is discussed with focused attention on the structure-performance relationship. The current challenges facing the electrospinning technology and proposed prospects for this emerging field are summarized to conclude this review.