Self‐Assembled Biomolecular 1D Nanostructures for Aqueous Sodium‐Ion Battery

Abstract

Aqueous sodium‐ion battery of low cost, inherent safety, and environmental benignity holds substantial promise for new‐generation energy storage applications. However, the narrow potential window of water and the enlarged ionic radius because of hydration restrict the selection of electrode materials used in the aqueous electrolyte. Here, inspired by the efficient redox reaction of biomolecules during cellular energy metabolism, a proof of concept is proposed that the redox‐active biomolecule alizarin can act as a novel electrode material for the aqueous sodium‐ion battery. It is demonstrated that the specific capacity of the self‐assembled alizarin nanowires can reach as high as 233.1 mA h g−1, surpassing the majority of anodes ever utilized in the aqueous sodium‐ion batteries. Paired with biocompatible and biodegradable polypyrrole, this full battery system shows excellent sodium storage ability and flexibility, indicating its potential applications in wearable electronics and biointegrated devices. It is also shown that the electrochemical properties of electrodes can be tailored by manipulating naturally occurring 9,10‐anthroquinones with various substituent groups, which broadens application prospect of biomolecules in aqueous sodium‐ion batteries.

Sustainable Battery Materials from Biomass

“…In cases where they are insoluble in the chosen electrolyte, some small molecules may be used without immobilization. Alizarin, which can be extracted from the plant Rubia cordifolia L and may also be used in supercapacitor applications, is a prominent example of an anthraquinone‐like chemical that fulfils this requirement as it shows rather low solubility in water . By using an antisolvent approach, different morphologies of alizarin crystals may be obtained, with nanowires showing the best charge storage properties.…”

N‐Doped Carbon Nanofibers with Interweaved Nanochannels for High‐Performance Sodium‐Ion Storage

“…So far, numerous carbon materials with different morphologies and structure, such as 1D carbon nanofibers, 2D expanded graphite, and 3D carbon nanospheres, have been investigated as anode of SIBs in the hope to enhance the associated electrochemical performance. Particularly, 1D carbon nanofibers have been considered as one type of carbon due to their 1D conductive nanostructure conducive to by facilitating electrolyte transportation and electron transfer .…”

In Situ Synthesis of Well‐Ordered Magnetic Palladium Catalyst Triggered by Supramolecular Chaotropic Effect of Boron Cluster

“…Unlike the traditional fabricated pathway, process of self‐assembly is usually fast, controllable, and requires milder reaction conditions. Over the past decade, great progress has been made in the controllable self‐assembly of metal NPs on diverse ordered nanostructures . One of the most important self‐assembled technique must refer to supramolecular host‐guest self‐assembly, which provides new building blocks for designing novel functional nanocomposites .…”

“…Over the past decade, great progress has been made in the controllable self-assembly of metal NPs on diverse ordered nanostructures. [20][21][22] One of the most important self-assembled technique must refer to supramolecular host-guest self-assembly, which provides new building blocks for designing novel functional nanocomposites. [23][24][25] Cyclodextrins (CDs), an essential type of macrocyclic host molecules in supramolecular chemistry, [26,27] are able to encapsulate many guest molecules and act as a "supramolecular anchor" in many supramolecular assemblies preparation, such as nanotubes, nanosponges, nanomicelles, nanovesicles, etc.…”