Journal article
Core–Shell Hybrid Nanowires with Protein Enabling Fast Ion Conduction for High‐Performance Composite Polymer Electrolytes
Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany), Vol.14(49), pp.e1803564-n/a
12/06/2018
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/109324
PMID: 30369068
Abstract
Incorporating nanofillers is one of the promising approaches for simultaneously boosting the ionic conductivity and mechanical properties of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs). However, effectively creating faster ion‐conduction pathways via nanofillers still remains a big challenge. Herein, core–shell protein–ceramic nanowires for more efficiently building fast ion‐conduction networks in SPEs are reported. The core–shell protein–ceramic nanowires are fabricated via in situ growth of protein coating on the electrospun TiO2 nanowires in a subtly controlled protein‐denaturation process. It is demonstrated that the core–shell protein@TiO2 nanowires effectively facilitate ion‐conduction. As a result, the ionic conductivity, mechanical properties, electrochemical stability, and even Li+ transference number of the SPEs with core–shell protein@TiO2 nanowires are significantly enhanced. The contributions from the 1D morphology of the protein@TiO2 nanowires, and more importantly, the favorable protein structure for further promoting ion‐conduction at the polymer–filler interfaces are analyzed. It is believed that the protein plays a pivotal role in dissociating lithium salts, which benefits from the strong interactions between protein and ions, making the protein serve as a unique “natural channel” for rapidly conducting Li+. This study initiates an effective method of promoting ionic conductivity and constructing faster ion‐conduction networks in SPEs via combining bio‐ and nanotechnology.
Advanced core–shell structured protein@TiO2 nanowires enabling fast ion‐conduction in solid polymer electrolytes are reported. The protein@TiO2 nanowires are fabricated via bio‐/nanotechnology, whose protein shell significantly promotes the dissociation of lithium salts and transportation of Li+, due to the unique interactions between protein and ions.
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Details
- Title
- Core–Shell Hybrid Nanowires with Protein Enabling Fast Ion Conduction for High‐Performance Composite Polymer Electrolytes
- Creators
- Xuewei Fu - Washington State UniversityYu Wang - Washington State UniversityXin Fan - Huazhong Agricultural UniversityLouis Scudiero - Washington State UniversityWei‐Hong Zhong - Washington State University
- Publication Details
- Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany), Vol.14(49), pp.e1803564-n/a
- Academic Unit
- Chemistry, Department of; Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, School of; Mechanical and Materials Engineering, School of
- Number of pages
- 12
- Grant note
- USDA NIFA (2015‐67021‐22911) NSF (CMMI 1463616)
- Identifiers
- 99900547485401842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article