Boosting the Performance of Graphene Cathodes in Na-O Batteries by Exploiting the Multifunctional Character of Small Biomolecules.

Graphene aerogels derived from a biomolecule-assisted aqueous electrochemical exfoliation route are explored as cathode materials in sodium-oxygen (Na-O ) batteries. To this end, the natural nucleotide adenosine monophosphate (AMP) is used in the multiple roles of exfoliating electrolyte, aqueous dispersant, and functionalizing agent to access high quality, electrocatalytically active graphene nanosheets in colloidal suspension (bioinks). The surface phenomena occurring on the electrochemically derived graphene cathode is thoroughly studied to understand and optimize its electrochemical performance, where a cooperative effect between the nitrogen atoms and phosphates from the AMP molecules is demonstrated.

An Overview of Engineered Graphene-Based Cathodes: Boosting Oxygen Reduction and Evolution Reactions in Lithium- and Sodium-Oxygen Batteries.

The depletion of fossil fuels, the rapid evolution of the global economy, and high living standards require the development of new energy-storage systems that can meet the needs of the world's population. Metal-oxygen batteries (M=Li, Na) arise, therefore, as promising alternatives to widely used lithium-ion batteries, due to their high theoretical energy density, which approaches that of gasoline. Although significant progress has been made in recent years, there are still several challenges to overcome to reach the final commercialization of this technology.

High Performance Na-O Batteries and Printed Microsupercapacitors Based on Water-Processable, Biomolecule-Assisted Anodic Graphene.

Integrated approaches that expedite the production and processing of graphene into useful structures and devices, particularly through simple and environmentally friendly strategies, are highly desirable in the efforts to implement this two-dimensional material in state-of-the-art electrochemical energy storage technologies. Here, we introduce natural nucleotides (e.g.

Controlling the Three-Phase Boundary in Na-Oxygen Batteries: The Synergy of Carbon Nanofibers and Ionic Liquid.

A series of electrospun binder-free carbon nanofiber (CNF) mats have been studied as air cathodes for Na-oxygen batteries using a pyrrolidinium-based electrolyte and compared with the commercial air cathode Toray 090. A tenfold increase in the discharge capacity is attained when using CNFs in comparison with Toray 090, affording a discharge capacity of 1.53 mAh cm at a high discharge rate of 0.

Influence of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes as Additives in Biomass-Derived Carbons for Supercapacitor Applications.

Glucose-derived carbon/carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid materials were prepared by hydrothermal carbonization of glucose in the presence of CNTs and subsequent carbonization, physical activation, or chemical activation. The proportion of CNTs added during the hydrothermal polymerization of glucose was varied to ascertain the optimum dose to maximize the performance of the carbon hybrids in supercapacitor applications. Both the thermal treatment applied and the addition of CNTs lead to changes in the textural and chemical properties of the activated carbons.