3D Hierarchical Hybrid Research Articles

Self-assembly of 3D hierarchical halloysite-nanotube/CoAl-LDH-nanosheet hybrid microspheres for high-performance degradation of norfloxacin

In this paper, 3D hierarchical CoAl-LDH microsphere hybrid catalysts were fabricated via a facile two-step procedure. The results demonstrated that halloysite (Hal)-nanotube and CoAl-LDH-nanosheet were reconstructed into 3D hierarchical hybrid microspheres. In addition to providing Al element, the Hal also maintained a high specific surface area of the microspheres and exhibited excellent adsorption properties. The novel catalysts could activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) to generate HO• and SO4•– free radicals, resulting in a 97% degradation rate of norfloxacin (NOR) at a concentration of 20 mg/L. This study provides insights into using nano-clay precursors for constructing CoAl-LDH hybrid catalysts to purify antibiotic contaminants from aqueous environments.

A sequential template electrodeposition anodization and in situ aniline electropolymerization-based facile electrochemical synthesis strategy

Herein, we propose a facile continuous electrochemical synthesis strategy to build 3D hierarchical hybrid conductive networks based on sequential template electrodeposition-anodization and in-situ aniline electropolymerization. It was implemented in a tin system to prepare a 3D tin skeleton with micron-scale features using the hydrogen bubble dynamic template method, followed by electrochemical anodization to achieve nanoscale modulation. This well-designed 3D hierarchical metal oxide framework was used for the in-situ electropolymerization of aniline, preserving the hierarchical morphological features while establishing large conductive networks for ultrafast electron transport and enhancing the structural stability of tin dendrites. Regulation of the hierarchical morphologies promotes material surface reactivity, increases the electrochemically active sites, and improves the ion diffusion kinetics, thus solving the “dead surface” problem in the energy storage process. Such multifaceted synergistic strategies of structural modulation and functional hybridization have opened up new ways to design efficient binder-free hybrid electrode materials.

A Novel Continuous Electrochemical Synthesis Strategy to Build 3d Hierarchical Hybrid Conductive Networks Based on Sequential Template Electrodeposition-Anodization and in Situ Aniline Electropolymerization for Supercapacitor

A Novel Continuous Electrochemical Synthesis Strategy to Build 3d Hierarchical Hybrid Conductive Networks Based on Sequential Template Electrodeposition-Anodization and in Situ Aniline Electropolymerization for Supercapacitor

Metastable Atomic Layer Deposition: 3D Self-Assembly toward Ultradark Materials.

Black body materials are promising candidates to meet future energy demands, as they are able to harvest energy from the total bandwidth of solar radiation. Here, we report on high-absorption near-blackbody-like structures (>98% for a wide solar spectrum range from 220 to 2500 nm) consisting of a silica scaffold and Ag nanoparticles with a layer thickness below 10 μm, fabricated using metastable atomic layer deposition (MS-ALD). Several effects contribute collectively and in a synergistic manner to the ultrahigh absorption, including the pronounced heterogeneity of the nanoparticles in size and shape, particle plasmon hybridization, and the trapping of omnidirectionally scattered light in the 3D hierarchical hybrid structures. We propose that, in the future, MS-ALD needs to be considered as a simple and promising method to fabricate blackbody materials with excellent broadband absorption.

A textile-based SnO2 ultra-flexible electrode for lithium-ion batteries

The advancements in wearable electronic devices make it urgent to develop high-performance flexible lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with excellent mechanical and electrochemical properties. Herein, we design a new 3D hierarchical hybrid sandwich flexible structure by anchoring SnO2 nanosheets (SnO2-NSs) on flexible carbon cloth and coating with thin amorphous carbon (AC) layer (CF@SnO2-NS@AC). The carbon cloth substrate works as the backbone and the current collector, while the thin AC layer provides extra support during the electrode expansion. The new architecture can be utilised as a binder-free electrode and presents extraordinary mechanical flexibility and outstanding electrical stability under external stresses. The new electrode can deliver a specific capacity as high as 968.6 mA h g−1 after 100 cycles at 85 mA g−1, which also shows remarkable rate capability and an excellent high current cycling stability. The outstanding electrochemical performances combined with the high mechanical flexibility and invariable electrical conductivity during/after different bending cycles make the new structure a promising oxide anode for flexible batteries. With the possibility of using a similar approach to design flexible cathode, the present work opens the door to empower the next-generation wearable devices and smart clothes with a robust and reliable battery.

In Situ Growth of 3D Hierarchical ZnO@NixCo1−x(OH)y Core/Shell Nanowire/Nanosheet Arrays on Ni Foam for High-Performance Aqueous Hybrid Supercapacitors

In this study, we designed and synthesized a novel battery-type electrode featuring three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical ZnO@Ni x Co1−x(OH) y core/shell nanowire/nanosheet arrays arranged on Ni foam substrate via a two-step protocol including a wet chemical process followed by electro-deposition. We then characterized its composition, structure and surface morphology by X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy, EDS elemental mapping. Our electrochemical measurements show that the ZnO@Ni0.67Co0.33(OH) y electrode material exhibited a noticeably high specific capacity of as much as 255 (mA·h)/g at 1 A/g. Additionally, it demonstrated a superior rate capability, as well as an excellent cycling stability with 81.6% capacity retention over 2000 cycles at 5 A/g. This sample delivered a high energy density of 64 W·h/kg and a power density of 250 W/kg at a current density of 1 A/g. With such remarkable electrochemical properties, we expect the 3D hierarchical hybrid electrode material presented in this work to have promising applications for the next generation of energy storage systems.

Wet Chemistry Synthesis of Multidimensional Nanocarbon-Sulfur Hybrid Materials with Ultrahigh Sulfur Loading for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

An optimized nanocarbon-sulfur cathode material with ultrahigh sulfur loading of up to 90 wt % is realized in the form of sulfur nanolayer-coated three-dimensional (3D) conducting network. This 3D nanocarbon-sulfur network combines three different nanocarbons, as follows: zero-dimensional carbon nanoparticle, one-dimensional carbon nanotube, and two-dimensional graphene. This 3D nanocarbon-sulfur network is synthesized by using a method based on soluble chemistry of elemental sulfur and three types of nanocarbons in well-chosen solvents. The resultant sulfur-carbon material shows a high specific capacity of 1115 mA h g(-1) at 0.02C and good rate performance of 551 mA h g(-1) at 1C based on the mass of sulfur-carbon composite. Good battery performance can be attributed to the homogeneous compositing of sulfur with the 3D hierarchical hybrid nanocarbon networks at nanometer scale, which provides efficient multidimensional transport pathways for electrons and ions. Wet chemical method developed here provides an easy and cost-effective way to prepare sulfur-carbon cathode materials with high sulfur loading for application in high-energy Li-S batteries.

Design and synthesis of 3D interconnected mesoporous NiCo2O4@CoxNi1−x(OH)2 core–shell nanosheet arrays with large areal capacitance and high rate performance for supercapacitors

Design and fabrication of high performance pseudocapacitors from 3D hierarchical hybrid electrodes with large areal capacitance and excellent rate capability still remains a challenge. Here, 3D hierarchical hybrid mesoporous NiCo2O4@CoxNi1−x(OH)2 core–shell nanosheet arrays on Ni foam have been rationally designed and facilely synthesized via an electrodeposited routine for pseudocapacitor applications. Electrochemical measurements show that the NiCo2O4@Co0.33Ni0.67(OH)2 electrode material exhibits a large areal capacitance as high as 5.71 F cm−2 at a current density of ∼5.5 mA cm−2, as a result of our high mass loading up to ∼5.5 mg cm−2. Moreover, it exhibits an excellent rate capability (∼83.7% capacitance retention at 273 mA cm−2). Based on these excellent properties, an asymmetric supercapacitor based on 3D hierarchical hybrid mesoporous NiCo2O4@Co0.33Ni0.67(OH)2 nanosheet arrays as the positive electrode and CMK-3 as the negative electrode was successfully fabricated. The as-fabricated device achieved the maximum areal capacitance of 887.5 mF cm−2 (specific capacitance of 87.9 F g−1) at 5 mA cm−2 with a stable operational voltage of 1.6 V and a high energy density of 31.2 W h kg−1 at a power density of 396 W kg−1. Moreover, two asymmetric supercapacitors in series could power 5 mm diameter red round light-emitting diode (LED) indicators efficiently for more than 5 minutes. The present 3D hierarchical hybrid material electrode with remarkable electrochemical properties has significant potential applications in high energy density storage systems.

A 3D hierarchical hybrid nanostructure of carbon nanotubes and activated carbon for high-performance supercapacitors

Novel carbonaceous hybrid materials are fabricated through the in situ growth of open-tipped mesoporous carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on low-cost activated carbon (AC) substrates with cobalt (Co) nanoparticles as the growing seeds via a chemical vapor deposition process. The CNTs are strongly bonded with the surface of the AC supports using the fine Co nanoparticles (<10 nm) as the joints. The unique three-dimensional hybrid architectures enable the resultant materials to exhibit a considerable specific capacitance of up to 440 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 as well as an excellent rate performance (97% retention ratio at 5 A g−1 compared to 1 A g−1). In addition, the hybrid materials have an impressive cycling stability with an initial capacitance retention of 98.4% after 3000 cycles at 5 A g−1. Besides the high specific surface area, such an excellent capacitive performance is mainly attributed to the combination of (i) the well-dispersed open-tipped CNTs (5–12 nm) that could provide more effective ion channels, (ii) the interconnected CNT conducting networks facilitating the transport of electrons, and (iii) superfine Co nanoparticles (3–9 nm) offering pseudocapacitance, indicating the synergistic effect of both the electrical double layer capacitance and pseudocapacitive reactions.