Patterned Electrodes for Advanced Energy Conversion and Storage: From Precision Engineering to Practical Applications

Abstract

As critical energy infrastructures beyond fossil fuels, advanced batteries and fuel cells face fundamental performance limitations imposed by the stochastic microstructures of conventional electrodes. Patterned electrodes represent an emerging research direction, leveraging micro/nanofabrication to transform disordered composites into precisely engineered architectures. This approach enables unprecedented spatial control over electrode geometry, dimensions, and distribution across scales, creating ideal platforms for probing fundamental electrochemical mechanisms. This review systematically examines state-of-the-art fabrication techniques for patterned electrodes and analyzes their transformative applications across energy storage and conversion systems, including solid oxide fuel cells, proton exchange membrane fuel cells, lithium-ion batteries, solar cells, and emerging cell technologies. We further identify key research frontiers in novel material integration, intelligent structural design, and synergistic coupling with complementary technologies. This work aims to stimulate rational design principles for next-generation patterned electrodes in advanced energy systems and broaden the application of emerging patterned electrodes in batteries for the energy fields.