Yanke Che

Discrimination of Five Classes of Explosives by a Fluorescence Array Sensor Composed of Two Tricarbazole-Nanostructures

Co-reporter:Qijian Zhu, Wei Xiong, Yanjun Gong, Yingxuan Zheng, Yanke Che, and Jincai Zhao

Analytical Chemistry November 21, 2017 Volume 89(Issue 22) pp:11908-11908

Publication Date(Web):October 31, 2017

DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.7b04083

In this work, we report a two-member fluorescence array sensor for the effective discrimination of five classes of explosives. This smallest array sensor is composed of tricarbazole-based nanofibers (sensor member 1) and nanoribbons (sensor member 2) deposited as two film bands in a quartz tube. On the basis of a simple comparison of the resulting fluorescence quenching ratios between two sensor members and the response reversibility upon exposure to vaporized explosives, five classes of explosives can be sensitively detected and easily discriminated. This array sensor that has only two sensor members and no complex data analysis represents a new design way for discrimination of a broad class of explosives.

Nanoscale Aggregates as Building Elements in a Biomimetic Living Self-Assembly

Co-reporter:Yingxuan Zheng, Cheng Peng, Wei Xiong, Yifan Zhang, Yin Liu, Yanke Che, and Jincai Zhao

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C July 13, 2017 Volume 121(Issue 27) pp:14907-14907

Publication Date(Web):June 22, 2017

DOI:10.1021/acs.jpcc.7b03846

In this work, we report on a complex dynamic supramolecular assembly pathway for a perylene diimide (PDI) derivative; this pathway involves the sequential formation of three kinetically trapped assemblies (i.e., from smooth nanospheres to microspheres to nanofiber microspheres) and thermodynamically stable microribbons. Interestingly, the stable nuclei, which are formed via the fusion of densely entangled nanofibers on the microspheres, enabled the direct anchoring of nanospheres at the termini for the growth of microribbons. Furthermore, we demonstrate the living nature of this system by observing the direct terminal growth of nanospheres on added microribbon seeds under identical self-assembly conditions. Our findings represent a significant step toward artificial systems that are capable of resembling biological systems.

Molecular Spur Gears Based on a Switchable Quinquepyridine Foldamer Acting as a Stator

Co-reporter:Fu Huang, Guangxia Wang, Lishuang Ma, Ying Wang, Xuebo Chen, Yanke Che, and Hua Jiang

The Journal of Organic Chemistry December 1, 2017 Volume 82(Issue 23) pp:12106-12106

Publication Date(Web):October 23, 2017

DOI:10.1021/acs.joc.7b01864

Two triptycene rotators have been covalently linked to the backbone of a quinquepyridine (QPY) foldamer at the second and fourth pyridine rings, respectively, to form molecular spur gears. The studies revealed that a QPY foldamer as a stator can reversibly control the intermeshed and demeshed states of molecular spur gears due to the linear-to-helical conformational switching triggered by complexation/decomplexation.

Internanofiber Spacing Adjustment in the Bundled Nanofibers for Sensitive Fluorescence Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds

Co-reporter:Zichao Zhou, Wei Xiong, Yifan Zhang, Dongjiang Yang, Tie Wang, Yanke Che, and Jincai Zhao

Analytical Chemistry April 4, 2017 Volume 89(Issue 7) pp:3814-3814

Publication Date(Web):March 13, 2017

DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.7b00345

In this work, we report the fabrication of hierarchical nanofiber bundles from a perylene monoimide molecule that enable the sensitive detection of various inert volatile organic compounds (VOCs). We demonstrate that the internanofiber spacing of the bundles with appropriate packing interactions can be effectively adjusted by various VOCs, which is in turn translated into the dynamic fluorescence responses. Upon further decreasing the size of the nanofiber bundles, of which the internanofiber spacing is more favorably adjusted, enhanced fluorescence responses to various VOC vapors can be achieved. Our work presents a new protocol, i.e., translating the stimuli-responsive internanofiber spacing into fluorescence responses, to construct novel fluorescence sensors for various hazardous chemical vapors.

Two-Dimensional Seeded Self-Assembly of a Complex Hierarchical Perylene-Based Heterostructure

Co-reporter:Yin Liu;Cheng Peng;Wei Xiong;Yifan Zhang;Yanjun Gong; Dr. Yanke Che; Dr. Jincai Zhao

Angewandte Chemie 2017 Volume 129(Issue 38) pp:11538-11542

Publication Date(Web):2017/09/11

DOI:10.1002/ange.201704015

AbstractA complex two-dimensional (2D) hierarchical heterostructure was fabricated by a sequential two-dimensional seeded self-assembly, which consisted of laterally grown nanotubes from one perylene monomer and terminally elongated nanocoils from a similar perylene monomer on microribbon seeds from a third perylene. Because the nanotube and nanocoil monomers can form kinetically trapped off-pathway aggregates to prevent self-nucleation and have similar molecular organizations to different facets of the seeds, the nanotube and nanocoil monomers preferentially nucleate and grow on the seed sides and terminal ends, respectively, to form a complex 2D hierarchical heterostructure. The strategy used in this work can be extended to fabricate other complex nanoarchitectures from small molecules.

Diverse macroscopic helical motions of microribbons driven by electrons

Co-reporter:Cheng Peng;Yifan Zhang;Yibin Zhang;Zichao Zhou;Jincai Zhao

Chemical Communications 2017 vol. 53(Issue 17) pp:2578-2581

Publication Date(Web):2017/02/23

DOI:10.1039/C6CC09596H

Novel stimuli-responsive microscale materials capable of undergoing diverse out-of-plane helical motions (e.g., bending, twisting and coiling) when exposed to electron irradiation are reported. The macroscopic morphological changes of microribbons induced by electrons arise from the combination of diagonal in-plane, non-bonded distortion relative to the long axis of the microribbon and vertical non-bonded distortion.

Influence of terminal substituents on the halide anion binding of foldamer-based receptors

Co-reporter:Ling Yang, Wei Zhao, Yan-Ke Che, Ying Wang, Hua Jiang

Chinese Chemical Letters 2017 Volume 28, Issue 8(Volume 28, Issue 8) pp:

Publication Date(Web):1 August 2017

DOI:10.1016/j.cclet.2017.06.006

Foldamers 1–4 incorporating different terminal substituents have been designed and synthesized for binding halide anions. 1H NMR titration experiments carried out in DMSO-d6/CDCl3 (15/85, v/v) demonstrated that the short oligo(aryltriazole)s backbone 1 could not bind halide anions unless that amide H-bond donors were incorporated at the termini of the oligomer. Terminal substituents on oligo(aryltriazoleamide)s foldamers 2–4 display a considerable influence on the binding affinities of the foldamers for halide anions. Large steric hindrance of the terminal substituents was found to be unfavorable for binding halide anions, but aromatic π-π interactions between two terminal substituents are capable of stabilizing the conformation of foldamers thus giving rise to an enhancement in the binding strengths. However, the terminal substituents were found to hardly affect the binding selectivity in the studied cases.Download high-res image (118KB)Download full-size image

Fluorescence Detection of a Broad Class of Explosives with One Zinc(II)-Coordination Nanofiber

Co-reporter:Wei Xiong, Xiaoling Liu, Tie Wang, Yifan Zhang, Yanke Che, and Jincai Zhao

Analytical Chemistry 2016 Volume 88(Issue 22) pp:10826

Publication Date(Web):October 24, 2016

DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.6b03618

In this work, we report the development of one fluorescent carbazole-based oligomer 1-zinc(II) coordination nanofiber which enabled the detection of five classes of explosives, i.e., nitroaromatics (dinitrotoluene, DNT, and trinitrotoluene, TNT), aliphatic nitro-organics (2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane, DMNB), nitramines (cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine, RDX), nitro-esters (pentaerythritol tetranitrate, PETN), and black powder (sulfur). We demonstrate that the coordination of zinc ion with a carbazole-based oligomer 1 allows the formation of the Lewis acid–base complex between explosives and the nanofiber that enhances the electron-accepting ability of the nitro-based explosives and the binding interactions between the sensing nanofibers and explosives. Furthermore, the resulting nanofiber-based sensor exhibited highly sensitive fluorescence quenching when exposed to trace sulfur, thereby enabling the sensitive detection of black powder. Herein, we present a new fluorescent sensor for five classes of explosives, which represents an important advance toward a richer identification of threats.

Aryl-triazole foldamers with ethynyl spacers as effective receptors for halides and oxyanions

Co-reporter:Wei Zhao, Fu Huang, Ying Wang, Qiaolian Li, Jie Shang, Yanke Che, Hua Jiang

Tetrahedron Letters 2016 Volume 57(Issue 15) pp:1691-1694

Publication Date(Web):13 April 2016

DOI:10.1016/j.tetlet.2016.03.008

•A new aryl-triazole receptor incorporating ethynyl spacer was readily constructed.•These receptors bind various anions with high affinities but a low selectivity.•These results may provide a new application of anion abstraction in sewage treatment.•Improve our insights into anion binding properties and design novel anion receptors.A new aryl-triazole receptor incorporating ethynyl spacer was readily constructed. By using UV–Vis spectroscopic titration, the foldamers were proved to be capable of binding various shaped anions (nBu4N+A−, A = Cl, Br, I, NO3, HSO4, H2PO4 and AcO) with high affinities but a low selectivity.

Molecular Turnstiles Regulated by Metal Ions

Co-reporter:Guangxia Wang, Hongmei Xiao, Jiaojiao He, Junfeng Xiang, Ying Wang, Xuebo Chen, Yanke Che, and Hua Jiang

The Journal of Organic Chemistry 2016 Volume 81(Issue 8) pp:3364-3371

Publication Date(Web):March 17, 2016

DOI:10.1021/acs.joc.6b00463

A family of novel molecular turnstiles 1–3 composed of two stators with pyridyl binding sites and a different-sized triptycene rotor was synthesized. The molecular turnstiles behave in an open state at room temperature in the absence of metal ions but display significantly different closed states in the presence of Ag+ and Pd2+. The Ag+-mediated turnstiles 1–3Ag exhibited closed states but unreadable bistability at ambient temperature because the Ag+-mediated macrocyclic framework is not able to restrict the rotations of the rotors; while temperature was decreased, the macrocyclic frameworks became stable enough to halt the rotations of the rotors, eventually leading to the readable closed states for 1–3Ag. In contrast, Pd2+-mediated macrocyclic frameworks are stable, giving rise to a detectable closed state of turnstiles 1–3Pd in a wide range of temperatures. These findings have also been supported by DFT calculations.

Spontaneously bundled nanotubes exhibit greatly enhanced emission via inter-nanotube energy transfer

Co-reporter:Cheng Peng;Juan Yang;Yifan Zhang;Yibin Zhang

Science China Chemistry 2016 Volume 59( Issue 10) pp:1348-1351

Publication Date(Web):2016 October

DOI:10.1007/s11426-016-0101-3

Spontaneously bundled nanotubes assembled from chiral perylene diimide molecules exhibit greatly enhanced emission via inter-nanotube excitation energy transfer. The formation of densely packed superstructures is an effective approach for high fluorescence quantum yield in assembled nanomaterials without compromising optoelectronic properties.

Detection of Amines with Fluorescent Nanotubes: Applications in the Assessment of Meat Spoilage

Co-reporter:Yanyong Hu, Xiaojie Ma, Yibin Zhang, Yanke Che, and Jincai Zhao

ACS Sensors 2016 Volume 1(Issue 1) pp:22

Publication Date(Web):November 4, 2015

DOI:10.1021/acssensors.5b00040

Highly fluorescent nanotubes assembled from designed asymmetric perylene diimide molecules (PDIs) exhibit high sensitivity (lowering the existing detection limit to ppb levels) and selectivity to amines in the vapor phase, which renders them capable of monitoring and assessing the deterioration of meat.Keywords: biogenic amines; fluorescence quenching; meat spoilage; nanotubes; sensors

Fabrication of Chiral-Selective Nanotubular Heterojunctions through Living Supramolecular Polymerization

Co-reporter:Xiaojie Ma;Yibin Zhang;Yifan Zhang;Yin Liu;Dr. Yanke Che;Dr. Jincai Zhao

Angewandte Chemie International Edition 2016 Volume 55( Issue 33) pp:9539-9543

Publication Date(Web):

DOI:10.1002/anie.201602819

Abstract

Novel, chiral-selective linear nanotubular heterojunctions were achieved by living supramolecular polymerization of perylenediimide (PDI) derivatives. We demonstrate that the chiral seed can effectively bias achiral PDI molecules to polymerize on its ends in the identical helical sense. More interestingly, the chiral seed can bias the opposite enantiomers to grow expitaxially from its ends even in excess amounts relative to the seed. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the biasing effect of the chiral seed on the opposite enantiomer is not dependent on the length of the chiral seed but is related to the intrinsic length of the elongated nanotube from the opposite enantiomer. The fabrication of chiral-selective nanotubes was achieved by application of the unique biasing effect of the chiral seed in living supramolecular self-assembly.

Fabrication of Chiral-Selective Nanotubular Heterojunctions through Living Supramolecular Polymerization

Co-reporter:Xiaojie Ma;Yibin Zhang;Yifan Zhang;Yin Liu;Dr. Yanke Che;Dr. Jincai Zhao

Angewandte Chemie 2016 Volume 128( Issue 33) pp:9691-9695

Publication Date(Web):

DOI:10.1002/ange.201602819

Abstract

Novel, chiral-selective linear nanotubular heterojunctions were achieved by living supramolecular polymerization of perylenediimide (PDI) derivatives. We demonstrate that the chiral seed can effectively bias achiral PDI molecules to polymerize on its ends in the identical helical sense. More interestingly, the chiral seed can bias the opposite enantiomers to grow expitaxially from its ends even in excess amounts relative to the seed. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the biasing effect of the chiral seed on the opposite enantiomer is not dependent on the length of the chiral seed but is related to the intrinsic length of the elongated nanotube from the opposite enantiomer. The fabrication of chiral-selective nanotubes was achieved by application of the unique biasing effect of the chiral seed in living supramolecular self-assembly.

Giant Morphological Change in Layered Microribbons Featuring Reversible Sliding of Stacking Layers

Co-reporter:Yifan Zhang;Cheng Peng;Zichao Zhou;Ran Duan;Hongwei Ji;Jincai Zhao

Advanced Materials 2015 Volume 27( Issue 2) pp:320-325

Publication Date(Web):

DOI:10.1002/adma.201404121

Stepwise Formation of Photoconductive Nanotubes through a New Top-Down Method

Co-reporter:Xiaojie Ma;Yibin Zhang;Yifan Zhang;Cheng Peng;Jincai Zhao

Advanced Materials 2015 Volume 27( Issue 47) pp:7746-7751

Publication Date(Web):

DOI:10.1002/adma.201503771

Fluorescent and photoconductive nanoribbons as a dual-mode sensor for selective discrimination of alkyl amines versus aromatic amines

Co-reporter:Yibin Zhang, Cheng Peng, Xiaojie Ma, Yanke Che and Jincai Zhao

Chemical Communications 2015 vol. 51(Issue 81) pp:15004-15007

Publication Date(Web):18 Aug 2015

DOI:10.1039/C5CC05382J

Highly fluorescent and photoconductive nanoribbons assembled from an asymmetric perylene diimide (PDI) were used as a dual-mode sensor for sensitive and selective discrimination of two classes of organic amines in the vapor phase, i.e., alkyl amines and aromatic amines.

Highly fluorescent one-handed nanotubes assembled from a chiral asymmetric perylene diimide

Co-reporter:Xiaojie Ma, Yibin Zhang, Yingxuan Zheng, Yifan Zhang, Xia Tao, Yanke Che and Jincai Zhao

Chemical Communications 2015 vol. 51(Issue 20) pp:4231-4233

Publication Date(Web):03 Feb 2015

DOI:10.1039/C5CC00365B

Highly fluorescent bilayer nanotubes with a right- or left-handed helical sense were assembled from a chiral asymmetric perylene diimide for the first time, which constitute a new family member of self-assembled organic nanotubes.

Nanocoiled Assembly of Asymmetric Perylene Diimides: Formulation of Structural Factors

Co-reporter:Xiaoling Liu

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C 2015 Volume 119(Issue 11) pp:6446-6452

Publication Date(Web):March 4, 2015

DOI:10.1021/acs.jpcc.5b00720

2,6-Pyridodicarboxamide-Bridged Triptycene Molecular Transmission Devices: Converting Rotation to Rocking Vibration

Co-reporter:Guangxia Wang, Lishuang Ma, Junfeng Xiang, Ying Wang, Xuebo Chen, Yanke Che, and Hua Jiang

The Journal of Organic Chemistry 2015 Volume 80(Issue 22) pp:11302-11312

Publication Date(Web):October 21, 2015

DOI:10.1021/acs.joc.5b01778

A series of N2,N6-bis(triptycene-9-yl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamides 1–4 were designed and synthesized. Due to rotational constraint of the 2,6-diamidopyridine bridge, the triptycene components in the systems are held together. X-ray structures of 1–4 show that the molecules adopt a gear-like geometry in the solid states. DFT (B3LYP/6-31G(d)) calculations predict the gear-like C2 conformation as global minimum structures for 1 and 2 and suggest that, through a slippage transition process, rotation of one triptycene component would give rise to a rocking vibration of the counter component due to the barrier for rotation of the triptycene components. VT NMR studies on 1–4 show that the pair of triptycene components undergo ceaseless slippage at room temperature but nearly freeze at temperatures as low as 183 K. Decreasing the temperature freezes the slippage between triptycene components as well, thus producing the appearance of phase isomers of 3 and 4. The dynamic features of the studied molecules indicate that this kind of molecule is able to function as a kind of molecular transmission device for transforming the mode of motion from rotation to rocking vibration.

Nitrogen-doped one-dimensional (1D) macroporous carbonaceous nanotube arrays and their application in electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reactions

Co-reporter:Xilin She, Dongjiang Yang, Dengwei Jing, Fang Yuan, Weiyou Yang, Liejin Guo and Yanke Che

Nanoscale 2014 vol. 6(Issue 19) pp:11057-11061

Publication Date(Web):05 Aug 2014

DOI:10.1039/C4NR03340J

A nitrogen(N)-doped one-dimensional (1D) macroporous carbonaceous nanotube array was fabricated by using an anodic alumina oxide (AAO) template. The large diameter of the nanotubes (∼200 nm) could overcome the sluggish mass transfer phenomena in the common micro/mesoporous carbon-based electrodes. Combining the activation of the π electrons of the sp2 carbon array by N-doping, the novel 1D macroporous carbonaceous nanotube array exhibited high performance for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).

Simple pyrolysis of cobalt alginate fibres into Co3O4/C nano/microstructures for a high-performance lithium ion battery anode

Co-reporter:Daohao Li, Dongjiang Yang, Xiaoyi Zhu, Dengwei Jing, Yanzhi Xia, Quan Ji, Rongsheng Cai, Hongliang Li and Yanke Che

Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 vol. 2(Issue 44) pp:18761-18766

Publication Date(Web):29 Aug 2014

DOI:10.1039/C4TA03052D

Cobalt tetroxide (Co3O4) has attracted much attention as a promising anode material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to its high theoretical capacity (890 mA h g−1). However, its poor electronic conductivity and weak ability to accommodate large volume changes during a repeated charging–discharging process, which results in the poor cycling performance, have hindered the practical application of Co3O4. In this article, Co3O4/C fibres were prepared by simple pyrolysis of wetspun cobalt alginate fibres. The composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). It was found that the resulting material possesses a unique hierarchical nano/microstructure in which Co3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) are capsulated in a micro-sized carbonaceous fibrous matrix. This nano/microstructure can combine the merits of the Co3O4 nanostructure and the carbonaceous microfibre matrix, and thus exhibits a high reversible capacity of 780 mA h g−1 at 89 mA g−1 after 100 cycles as well as excellent cycling stability and rate performance when used as an anode material. This finding could open up a new direction in sustainable use of natural seaweed resources as new energy storage materials.

Fluorescent bilayer nanocoils assembled from an asymmetric perylene diimide molecule with ultrasensitivity for amine vapors

Co-reporter:Yue E, Xiaojie Ma, Yifan Zhang, Yibin Zhang, Ran Duan, Hongwei Ji, Jing Li, Yanke Che and Jincai Zhao

Chemical Communications 2014 vol. 50(Issue 88) pp:13596-13599

Publication Date(Web):15 Sep 2014

DOI:10.1039/C4CC06915C

Highly fluorescent bilayer nanocoils assembled from an asymmetric perylene diimide molecule exhibit unprecedented sensitivity to trace amines, that is, three orders of magnitude greater than our previously reported solid nanofibers. The coiled nanostructure design for new sensing materials offers a novel option for optimizing the sensitivities of fluorescence sensors based on organic nanomaterials.

Diverse macroscopic helical motions of microribbons driven by electrons

Co-reporter:Cheng Peng, Yifan Zhang, Yibin Zhang, Zichao Zhou, Yanke Che and Jincai Zhao

Chemical Communications 2017 - vol. 53(Issue 17) pp:NaN2581-2581

Publication Date(Web):2017/02/06

DOI:10.1039/C6CC09596H

Novel stimuli-responsive microscale materials capable of undergoing diverse out-of-plane helical motions (e.g., bending, twisting and coiling) when exposed to electron irradiation are reported. The macroscopic morphological changes of microribbons induced by electrons arise from the combination of diagonal in-plane, non-bonded distortion relative to the long axis of the microribbon and vertical non-bonded distortion.

Highly fluorescent one-handed nanotubes assembled from a chiral asymmetric perylene diimide

Co-reporter:Xiaojie Ma, Yibin Zhang, Yingxuan Zheng, Yifan Zhang, Xia Tao, Yanke Che and Jincai Zhao

Chemical Communications 2015 - vol. 51(Issue 20) pp:NaN4233-4233

Publication Date(Web):2015/02/03

DOI:10.1039/C5CC00365B

Highly fluorescent bilayer nanotubes with a right- or left-handed helical sense were assembled from a chiral asymmetric perylene diimide for the first time, which constitute a new family member of self-assembled organic nanotubes.

Fluorescent and photoconductive nanoribbons as a dual-mode sensor for selective discrimination of alkyl amines versus aromatic amines

Co-reporter:Yibin Zhang, Cheng Peng, Xiaojie Ma, Yanke Che and Jincai Zhao

Chemical Communications 2015 - vol. 51(Issue 81) pp:NaN15007-15007

Publication Date(Web):2015/08/18

DOI:10.1039/C5CC05382J

Highly fluorescent and photoconductive nanoribbons assembled from an asymmetric perylene diimide (PDI) were used as a dual-mode sensor for sensitive and selective discrimination of two classes of organic amines in the vapor phase, i.e., alkyl amines and aromatic amines.

Fluorescent bilayer nanocoils assembled from an asymmetric perylene diimide molecule with ultrasensitivity for amine vapors

Co-reporter:Yue E, Xiaojie Ma, Yifan Zhang, Yibin Zhang, Ran Duan, Hongwei Ji, Jing Li, Yanke Che and Jincai Zhao

Chemical Communications 2014 - vol. 50(Issue 88) pp:NaN13599-13599

Publication Date(Web):2014/09/15

DOI:10.1039/C4CC06915C

Highly fluorescent bilayer nanocoils assembled from an asymmetric perylene diimide molecule exhibit unprecedented sensitivity to trace amines, that is, three orders of magnitude greater than our previously reported solid nanofibers. The coiled nanostructure design for new sensing materials offers a novel option for optimizing the sensitivities of fluorescence sensors based on organic nanomaterials.

Simple pyrolysis of cobalt alginate fibres into Co3O4/C nano/microstructures for a high-performance lithium ion battery anode

Co-reporter:Daohao Li, Dongjiang Yang, Xiaoyi Zhu, Dengwei Jing, Yanzhi Xia, Quan Ji, Rongsheng Cai, Hongliang Li and Yanke Che

Journal of Materials Chemistry A 2014 - vol. 2(Issue 44) pp:NaN18766-18766

Publication Date(Web):2014/08/29

DOI:10.1039/C4TA03052D

Cobalt tetroxide (Co3O4) has attracted much attention as a promising anode material for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) owing to its high theoretical capacity (890 mA h g−1). However, its poor electronic conductivity and weak ability to accommodate large volume changes during a repeated charging–discharging process, which results in the poor cycling performance, have hindered the practical application of Co3O4. In this article, Co3O4/C fibres were prepared by simple pyrolysis of wetspun cobalt alginate fibres. The composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). It was found that the resulting material possesses a unique hierarchical nano/microstructure in which Co3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) are capsulated in a micro-sized carbonaceous fibrous matrix. This nano/microstructure can combine the merits of the Co3O4 nanostructure and the carbonaceous microfibre matrix, and thus exhibits a high reversible capacity of 780 mA h g−1 at 89 mA g−1 after 100 cycles as well as excellent cycling stability and rate performance when used as an anode material. This finding could open up a new direction in sustainable use of natural seaweed resources as new energy storage materials.

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Abstract

Abstract