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Updated: Oct 14, 2025
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Characterization of Electrode Materials for Lithium Ion and Sodium Ion Batteries Using Synchrotron Radiation Techniques
Published on: November 11, 2013
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Multifunctional Hyphae Carbon Powering Lithium-Sulfur Batteries
Lei Huang1,2, Shenghui Shen2, Yu Zhong2
1Department of Critical Care Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310016, China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|November 6, 2021
Summary
Biotechnology enables new energy materials using Rhizopus hyphae carbon fiber (RHCF). This novel self-assembly method produces multifunctional RHCF derivatives for advanced electrochemical energy storage devices.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Biotechnology offers novel approaches for energy material design.
- Developing efficient electrochemical energy storage solutions is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile biological self-assembly technology for large-scale fabrication of multifunctional Rhizopus hyphae carbon fiber (RHCF) and its derivatives.
- To explore the application of RHCF derivatives in electrochemical energy storage, specifically lithium-sulfur batteries.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a biological self-assembly technology for Rhizopus hyphae conversion into crosslinked hollow carbon fibers.
- Fabricated macroscopic carbon balls composed of RHCFs.
- Synthesized RHCF derivatives, including RHCF/metal oxides, via metal ion adsorption.
- Integrated RHCF derivatives as cathode, anode, and separator components in lithium-sulfur batteries.
Main Results:
- Successfully prepared centimeter-level carbon balls of hollow RHCFs.
- Demonstrated strong metal ion adsorption capabilities of RHCF balls.
- RHCF derivatives exhibited multifunctionality as electrode and separator materials.
- Optimized lithium-sulfur battery full cells achieved excellent cycling performance and high-rate capacity (881.3 mA h g⁻¹ at 1 C).
Conclusions:
- The study presents a novel, scalable method for producing hollow carbon fibers and their derivatives using biological self-assembly.
- RHCF derivatives show significant potential for advanced energy storage applications, particularly in lithium-sulfur batteries.
- This work paves the way for new biotechnological routes in energy material fabrication.
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