Designing a Rare DNA-Like Double Helical Microfiber Superstructure via Self-Assembly of In Situ Carbon Fiber-Encapsulated WO_3–x Nanorods as an Advanced Supercapacitor Material

Abstract

Double helical DNA structure is one of the most beautiful and fascinating nanoarchitecture nature has produced. Mimicking nature’s design by the tailored synthesis of semiconductor nanomaterials such as WO3 into a DNA-like double helical superstructure could impart special properties, such as enhanced stability, electrical conductivity, information storage, signal processing, and catalysis, owing to the synergistic interaction across helices. However, double helical WO3 synthesis is extremely challenging and has never been reported earlier. This investigation presents the first-ever report on a facile synthesis route for designing a DNA-like double helical WO3–x /C microfiber superstructure via self-assembly of in situ carbon fiber-encapsulated WO3–x nanorods. This innovative design strategy is completely template-free and does not require predesigned helical templates or hydro/solvothermal treatment. Detailed spectroscopic material characterization and electrochemical studies confirmed that the double helical structure with carbon fiber-WO3–x heterostructures enabled effective induction and distribution of oxygen vacancies along with W5+/W6+ redox surface states. Furthermore, faster electrode–electrolyte interfacial kinetics, improved electrical conductivity, and cycling stability has been observed in the carbon fiber-WO3–x heterostructures which resulted in a high area specific capacitance of 401 mF cm–2 at 2 mA cm–2 with excellent capacitance retention of >94% for more than 5000 cycles. Additionally, the carbon fiber-WO3–x heterostructures demonstrated promising performance when fabricated in a solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor device with the power density of 498 W kg–1 at an energy density of 15.4 W h kg–1. Therefore, the rare DNA-like double helical WO3–x /C superstructure synthesized in this study could open new doorways toward in situ, facile fabrication of double helical superstructures for energy and environmental applications.

3D Printed Electrochromic Supercapacitors with Ultrahigh Mechanical Strength and Energy Density

“…[17] Besides that, the shoulder peak, observed at 532.5 eV, is a result of oxygen in intercalated water. [18] For Ag 3d spectrum, as illustrated in Figure 3e, two strong peaks at 368.0 (Ag 3d 5/2 ) and 374.0 eV (Ag 3d 3/2 ) reveal the Ag° characteristic, suggesting the successful formation and well preservation of a uniform and dense silver layer. [19] Moreover, the atomic ratio of O/W in the WAC electrode is determined to be 56.93:13.62, near to 4.2:1, indicating that a considerable number of oxygen defects appear in WAC, in good consistence with previous conclusion.…”

Synthesis of Oxygen‐Deficient WO3−x Nanoplates and Hollow Microspheres Decorated on a Carbon Cloth for Supercapacitors

“…The energy density and power density were computed according to discharge curves, and the results are depicted in Figure 7f. The CC−WO 3−x //AC ACS device shows a maximum energy density of 50.7 W h kg −1 at the power density of 1.3 kW kg −1 , surpassing the results of previously reported ASCs such as, MnO 2 //rGO/CCP/TNA (14.6 Wh kg −1 at 350 W kg −1 ), [27] MnO 2 //AG (22.5 Wh kg −1 at 245.5 W kg −1 ), [28] GHCS−MnO 2 //GHCS (22.1 Wh kg −1 at 7000 W kg −1 ), [29] Co 3 O 4 @MnO 2 //MEGO (17.7 Wh kg −1 at 158 W kg −1 ), [30] WO 3 //PANI (41.9 Wh kg −1 at 260 W kg −1 ), [31] WO 3 //CNF (17.7 Wh kg −1 at 310 W kg −1 ), [32] graphene‐WO 3 //AC (26.7 Wh kg −1 at 6000 W kg −1 ), [32] AC//WO 3−x /C (15.4 Wh kg −1 at 498 W kg −1 ) [33] . The enhanced electrochemical performance of CC−WO 3−x //AC ASC can be attributed to their interesting hybrid nanoplates and hollow microspheres features of oxygen‐deficient and binder‐free CC−WO 3−x electrodes.…”

“…The CCÀ WO 3À x //AC ACS device shows a maximum energy density of 50.7 W h kg À 1 at the power density of 1.3 kW kg À 1 , surpassing the results of previously reported ASCs such as, MnO 2 //rGO/ CCP/TNA (14.6 Wh kg À 1 at 350 W kg À 1 ), [27] MnO 2 //AG (22.5 Wh kg À 1 at 245.5 W kg À 1 ), [28] GHCSÀ MnO 2 //GHCS (22.1 Wh kg À 1 at 7000 W kg À 1 ), [29] Co 3 O 4 @MnO 2 //MEGO (17.7 Wh kg À 1 at 158 W kg À 1 ), [30] WO 3 //PANI (41.9 Wh kg À 1 at 260 W kg À 1 ), [31] WO 3 //CNF (17.7 Wh kg À 1 at 310 W kg À 1 ), [32] graphene-WO 3 //AC (26.7 Wh kg À 1 at 6000 W kg À 1 ), [32] AC//WO 3 À x /C (15.4 Wh kg À 1 at 498 W kg À 1 ). [33] The enhanced electrochemical performance of CCÀ WO 3À x //AC ASC can be attributed to their interesting hybrid nanoplates and hollow microspheres features of oxygen-deficient and binder-free CCÀ WO 3À x electrodes. Due to the easy preparation process and good electrochemical property, such a cost-effective nanostructure pattern tactic can be universal to other TMOs for high-performance UCs applications.…”

High-Throughput and Controllable Fabrication of Helical Microfibers by Hydrodynamically Focusing Flow

“…The intricate structures that organisms evolve over time often give researchers insights into the relationship between the microstructure and application performance. − Inspired by natural helical structures, such as duplex DNA, bacterial flagella, spirulina, sperm, microscopic helical vessels, and so on, helical microfibers have been developed to perform various vital tasks. − Due to their unique and intriguing spiral geometry, different functionalities are achieved. When combined with tissue engineering, helical microfibers can be used as three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds, microcarriers, or biosensors, demonstrating high potentials in biomedical and biological fields.…”