Weaving Aerogels into 3D Ordered Hyperelastic Hybrid Carbon Assemblies

Abstract

The development of a 3D carbon assembly with a combination of extraordinary electrochemical and mechanical properties is desirable yet challenging. Herein, an ultralight and hyperelastic nanofiber-woven hybrid carbon assembly (NWHCA) is fabricated by nanofiber weaving of isotropic porous and mechanical brittle quasi-aerogels. Upon subsequent pyrolysis, metallogel-derived quasi-aerogel hybridization and nitrogen/phosphorus co-doping are integrated into the NWHCA. Finite element simulation indicates that the 3D lamella-bridge architecture of NWHCA with the quasi-aerogel hybridization contributes to resisting plastic deformation and structural damage under high compression, experimentally demonstrated by complete deformation recovery at 80% compression and unprecedented fatigue resistance (>94% retention after 5000 cycles). Due to the superelasticity and quasi-aerogel integration, the zinc-air battery assembled based on NWHCA shows excellent electrochemical performance and flexibility. A proof-of-concept integrated device is presented, in which the flexible battery powers a piezoresistive sensor, using the NWHCA as the air cathode and the elastic conductor respectively, which can detect full-range and sophisticated motions while attached to human skin. The nanofiber weaving strategy allows the construction of lightweight, superelastic, and multifunctional hybrid carbon assemblies with great potential in wearable and integrated electronics.

Renewable biomass-based aerogels: from structural design to functional regulation

“…14c). 63 During unidirectional freezing, 3D ordered interconnected networks were generated at the growth interface of ice crystals, which consisted of interweaved uniform CNFs, thereby capturing MOG subunits in an orderly manner. After the removal of ice crystals, aligned large lamellas and small bridge layers were formed, showing 3D ordered honeycomb structures (Fig.…”

Flexible electrochemical energy storage devices and related applications: recent progress and challenges

“…However, when they are applied to flexible energy storage devices, the fabrication of flexible composites necessitates the use of other highly conductive substrates through hydrothermal, electrodeposition, and chemical vapor deposition methods. A typically substrate is carbon-based materials including carbon cloth, 55 carbon fibers, 56 carbon aerogel, 57 and carbon foam 58 which are commonly employed as flexible conductive substrates. And the optimization of the preparation process is crucial to prevent shedding of the active material grown on the substrate when it is deformed.…”

Green Fabrication of All-Nanocellulose-Based Flexible Electroluminescent Devices with Biodegradability, Recyclability, and Extreme Environment Tolerance

“…Cheng et al prepared AgNW/nanocellulose aerogel by directional freeze-drying, which could effectively reduce the resistance at the AgNW connection and improve the conductivity of the composite aerogel . At present, researchers have successfully prepared two types of nanoscale cellulose from the cell walls of a variety of plants. , The first type is semicrystalline cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), which are typically between 3 and 50 nm in width and about 1–3 μm in length. − The amorphous domains of CNFs contribute to the movement of the cellulose chains. CNFs with a high aspect ratio have good mechanical strength and flexibility, making them suitable for independent film manufacturing. , The second type, cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), are typically between 3 and 20 nm in width and generally less than 500 nm in length, with a low aspect ratio. , CNCs with II crystalline allomorphs (CNCs II) are shorter and thinner than ordinary CNCs, so the CNC II suspension has a higher transmittance, which is conducive to the preparation of transparent electrodes …”

“…15 At present, researchers have successfully prepared two types of nanoscale cellulose from the cell walls of a variety of plants. 26,27 The first type is semicrystalline cellulose nanofibers (CNFs), which are typically between 3 and 50 nm in width and about 1−3 μm in length. 28−30 The amorphous domains of CNFs contribute to the movement of the cellulose chains.…”