Multifunctional 3D nanoarchitectures for energy storage and conversion

Abstract

The design and fabrication of three-dimensional multifunctional architectures from the appropriate nanoscale building blocks, including the strategic use of void space and deliberate disorder as design components, permits a re-examination of devices that produce or store energy as discussed in this critical review. The appropriate electronic, ionic, and electrochemical requirements for such devices may now be assembled into nanoarchitectures on the bench-top through the synthesis of low density, ultraporous nanoarchitectures that meld high surface area for heterogeneous reactions with a continuous, porous network for rapid molecular flux. Such nanoarchitectures amplify the nature of electrified interfaces and challenge the standard ways in which electrochemically active materials are both understood and used for energy storage. An architectural viewpoint provides a powerful metaphor to guide chemists and materials scientists in the design of energy-storing nanoarchitectures that depart from the hegemony of periodicity and order with the promise--and demonstration--of even higher performance (265 references).

Microstructural tunability of co-continuous bijel-derived electrodes to provide high energy and power densities

“…In addition, the method of fabrication must be scalable to allow for large amounts of total stored energy. 6,7 There have been many preliminary attempts to create such a network using foams, 8 nanocolumns, 9 nanowires, 10 nanoakes, 11 and lithographically dened microstructures. 12 Nonetheless, these designs have not been able to meet the requirements of next generation electrodes mentioned above.…”

Ultrahigh‐Power Pseudocapacitors Based on Ordered Porous Heterostructures of Electron‐Correlated Oxides

“…However, conventional pseudocapacitors made from state‐of‐the‐art electrode materials, typically transition‐metal oxides (TMOs) such as MnO 2 ,5, 15, 19, 20 TiO 2 ,6, 16 and Co 3 O 4 ,19, 21 often exhibit much lower power capability than EDLCs due to their intrinsically poor conductivity 15, 21. It thus remains a primarily challenge in realizing high‐power and high‐energy densities in pseudocapacitors, which requires pseudocapacitive electrode materials simultaneously providing large specific surface area and ultrahigh transports of ions and electrons 22, 23, 24. In this regard, controlling nanostructures and exploring novel materials have become critical processes to meet these requirements in developing TMO‐based composite electrodes,1, 6, 17, 23, 25 wherein various conductive materials, including nanostructured carbons (such as porous carbon,14, 26 carbon nanotubes,27, 28, 29, 30 and graphene 31, 32) and conducting polymers, are extensively employed to serve as electron pathways.…”

Recent Progress in Self‐Supported Metal Oxide Nanoarray Electrodes for Advanced Lithium‐Ion Batteries

“…In comparison to the 2D planar substrates, the 3D porous substrates have the following advantages ( Figure 9 ): First, the unique 3D structure provides more growth sites, thus a higher loading mass of active materials can be realized, leading to a higher specific areal capacity and a higher gravimetric capacity with respect to the whole electrode 126, 127. Second, the unique porous structure of 3D conductive substrates offers accessible pathways for the penetration of electrolyte, accelerating the Li + ion diffusion and interface reaction kinetics 128. Finally, the fast electron transport along the 3D conductive substrate is beneficial for improving the high‐rate performance.…”