Self‐Assembled Biomolecular 1D Nanostructures for Aqueous Sodium‐Ion Battery. Issue 3 (3rd January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Long, Huiwu; Zeng, Wen; Wang, Hua; Qian, Mengmeng; Liang, Yanhong; Wang, Zhongchang
• Is Part Of: Advanced science. Volume 5:Issue 3(2018)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-01-03
• Subjects: alizarin -- aqueous electrolytes -- biomolecules -- self‐assembly -- sodium‐ion batteries; Science -- Periodicals; 505
• DOI: 10.1002/advs.201700634
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2198-3844

Abstract

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. Abstract : The successful fabrication of a novel aqueous sodium‐ion battery system based on the biomolecule alizarin is reported. It and it is demonstrated that the self‐assembled alizarin nanowires surpass in specific capacity the majority of anodes utilized so far. Paired with a polypyrrole cathode, it is shown that such a full battery system holds substantial promise in the applications in wearable electronics and biointegrated devices.