43 research outputs found
Nanopatterning of Recombinant Proteins and Viruses Using Block Copolymer Templates
The study of interfaces is important in understanding biological interactions, including cellular signaling and virus infection. This thesis is an original effort to examine the interaction between a block copolymer and both a protein and a virus. Block copolymers intrinsically form nanometer-scale structures over large areas without expensive processing, making them ideal for the synthesis of the nanopatterned surfaces used in this study. The geometry of these nanostructures can be easily tuned for different applications by altering the block ratio and composition of the block copolymer. Block copolymers can be used for controlled uptake of metal ions, where one block selectively binds metal ions while the other does not. 5-norbornene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid is synthesized through ringopening metathesis polymerization. It formed spherical domains with spheres approximately 30 nm in diameter, and these spheres were then subsequently loaded with nickel ion. This norbornene block copolymer was tested for its ability to bind histidine-tagged green fluorescent protein (hisGFP), and it was found that the nickel-loaded copolymer was able to retain hisGFP through chelation between the histidine tag and the metal-containing portions of the copolymer surface. Poly(styrene-b-4-vinylpyridine) (PS/P4VP) was also loaded with nickel, forming a cylindrical microstructure. The binding of Tobacco mosaic virus and Tobacco necrosis virus was tested through Tween 20 detergent washes. Electron microscopy allowed for observation of both block copolymer nanostructures and virus particles. Results showed that Tween washes could not remove bound Tobacco mosaic virus from the surface of PS/P4VP. It was also seen that The size and tunability of block copolymers and the lack of processing needed to attain different structures makes them attractive for many applications, including microfluidic devices, surfaces to influence cellular signaling and growth, and as a nanopatterning surface for organized adhesion
Confined lithiumâsulfur reactions in narrow-diameter carbon nanotubes reveal enhanced electrochemical reactivity
We demonstrate an unusual electrochemical reaction of sulfur with lithium upon encapsulation in narrow-diameter (subnanometer) single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). Our study provides mechanistic insight on the synergistic effects of sulfur confinement and Li+ ion solvation properties that culminate in a new mechanism of these sub-nanoscale-enabled reactions (which cannot be solely attributed to the lithiation-delithiation of conventional sulfur). Two types of SWNTs with distinct diameters, produced by electric arc (EA-SWNTs, average diameter 1.55 nm) or high-pressure carbon monoxide (HiPco-SWNTs, average diameter 1.0 nm), are investigated with two comparable electrolyte systems based on tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME) and 1,4,7,10,13-pentaoxacyclopentadecane (15-crown-5). Electrochemical analyses indicate that a conventional solution-phase Li-S reaction occurs in EA-SWNTs, which can be attributed to the smaller solvated [Li(TEGDME)]+ and [Li(15-crown-5)]+ ions within the EA-SWNT diameter. In stark contrast, the Li-S confined in narrower diameter HiPco-SWNTs exhibits unusual electrochemical behavior that can be attributed to a solid-state reaction enabled by the smaller HiPco-SWNT diameter compared to the size of solvated Li+ ions. Our results of the electrochemical analyses are corroborated and supported with various spectroscopic analyses including operando Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and first-principles calculations from density functional theory. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that the controlled solid-state lithiation-delithiation of sulfur and an enhanced electrochemical reactivity can be achieved by sub-nanoscale encapsulation and one-dimensional confinement in narrow-diameter SWNTs.Fil: Fu, Chengyin. University Of California Riverside; Estados UnidosFil: Oviedo, MarĂa BelĂ©n. University Of California Riverside; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones CientĂficas y TĂ©cnicas. Centro CientĂfico TecnolĂłgico Conicet - CĂłrdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones en FĂsico-quĂmica de CĂłrdoba. Universidad Nacional de CĂłrdoba. Facultad de Ciencias QuĂmicas. Instituto de Investigaciones en FĂsico-quĂmica de CĂłrdoba; ArgentinaFil: Zhu, Yihan. Zhejiang University Of Technology; ChinaFil: von Wald Cresce, Arthur. U. S. Army Research Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Xu, Kang. U. S. Army Research Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Li, Guanghui. University Of California Riverside; Estados UnidosFil: Itkis, Mikhail E.. University Of California Riverside; Estados UnidosFil: Haddon, Robert C.. University Of California Riverside; Estados UnidosFil: Chi, Miaofang. Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Estados UnidosFil: Han, Yu. King Abdullah University Of Science And Technology; Arabia SauditaFil: Wong, Bryan M.. University Of California Riverside; Estados UnidosFil: Guo, Juchen. University Of California Riverside; Estados Unido
Identifying the components of the solidâelectrolyte interphase in Li-ion batteries
The importance of the solidâelectrolyte interphase (SEI) for reversible operation of Li-ion batteries has been well established, but the understanding of its chemistry remains incomplete. The current consensus on the identity of the major organic SEI component is that it consists of lithium ethylene di-carbonate (LEDC), which is thought to have high Li-ion conductivity, but low electronic conductivity (to protect the Li/C electrode). Here, we report on the synthesis and structural and spectroscopic characterizations of authentic LEDC and lithium ethylene mono-carbonate (LEMC). Direct comparisons of the SEI grown on graphite anodes suggest that LEMC, instead of LEDC, is likely to be the major SEI component. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies on LEMC and lithium methyl carbonate (LMC) reveal unusual layered structures and Li+ coordination environments. LEMC has Li+ conductivities of >1âĂâ10â6âSâcmâ1, while LEDC is almost an ionic insulator. The complex interconversions and equilibria of LMC, LEMC and LEDC in dimethyl sulfoxide solutions are also investigated
Correlating Li<sup>+</sup> Solvation Sheath Structure with Interphasial Chemistry on Graphite
In electrolytes with unique electrochemical signature,
the structure
of Li<sup>+</sup> solvation sheath was quantitatively analyzed in
correlation with its electrochemical behavior on graphitic anodes.
For the first time, a direct link between Li<sup>+</sup> solvation
sheath structure and formation chemistry of the solid electrolyte
interphase (SEI) is established. Quantum chemistry calculations and
molecular dynamics simulations were performed to explain the observed
reversed preference of propylene carbonate (PC) over ethylene carbonate
(EC) by Li<sup>+</sup>
Modeling Insight into Battery Electrolyte Electrochemical Stability and Interfacial Structure
ConspectusElectroactive interfaces distinguish electrochemistry
from chemistry and enable electrochemical energy devices like batteries,
fuel cells, and electric double layer capacitors. In batteries, electrolytes
should be either thermodynamically stable at the electrode interfaces
or kinetically stable by forming an electronically insulating but
ionically conducting interphase. In addition to a traditional optimization
of electrolytes by adding cosolvents and sacrificial additives to
preferentially reduce or oxidize at the electrode surfaces, knowledge
of the local electrolyte composition and structure within the double
layer as a function of voltage constitutes the basis of manipulating
an interphase and expanding the operating windows of electrochemical
devices. In this work, we focus on how the molecular-scale insight
into the solvent and ion partitioning in the electrolyte double layer
as a function of applied potential could predict changes in electrolyte
stability and its initial oxidation and reduction reactions. In molecular
dynamics (MD) simulations, highly concentrated lithium aqueous and
nonaqueous electrolytes were found to exclude the solvent molecules
from directly interacting with the positive electrode surface, which
provides an additional mechanism for extending the electrolyte oxidation
stability in addition to the well-established simple elimination of âfreeâ
solvent at high salt concentrations. We demonstrate that depending
on their chemical structures, the anions could be designed to preferentially
adsorb or desorb from the positive electrode with increasing electrode
potential. This provides additional leverage to dictate the order
of anion oxidation and to effectively select a sacrificial anion for
decomposition. The opposite electrosorption behaviors of bisÂ(trifluoromethane)Âsulfonimide
(TFSI) and trifluoromethanesulfonate (OTF) as predicted by MD simulation
in highly concentrated aqueous electrolytes were confirmed by surface
enhanced infrared spectroscopy.The proton transfer (H-transfer)
reactions between solvent molecules on the cathode surface coupled
with solvent oxidation were found to be ubiquitous for common Li-ion
electrolyte components and dependent on the local molecular environment.
Quantum chemistry (QC) calculations on the representative clusters
showed that the majority of solvents such as carbonates, phosphates,
sulfones, and ethers have significantly lower oxidation potential
when oxidation is coupled with H-transfer, while without H-transfer
their oxidation potentials reside well beyond battery operating potentials.
Thus, screening of the solvent oxidation limits without considering
H-transfer reactions is unlikely to be relevant, except for solvents
containing unsaturated functionalities (such as Cî»C) that oxidize
without H-transfer. On the anode, the F-transfer reaction and LiF
formation during anion and fluorinated solvent reduction could be
enhanced or diminished depending on salt and solvent partitioning
in the double layer, again giving an additional tool to manipulate
the order of reductive decompositions and interphase chemistry. Combined
with experimental efforts, modeling results highlight the promise
of interphasial compositional control by either bringing the desired
components closer to the electrode surface to facilitate redox reaction
or expelling them so that they are kinetically shielded from the potential
of the electrode
Deciphering the Ethylene CarbonateâPropylene Carbonate Mystery in Li-Ion Batteries
ConspectusAs one of the landmark technologies, Li-ion batteries (LIBs) have
reshaped our life in the 21stcentury, but molecular-level understanding
about the mechanism underneath this young chemistry is still insufficient.
Despite their deceptively simple appearances with just three active
components (cathode and anode separated by electrolyte), the actual
processes in LIBs involve complexities at all length-scales, from
Li<sup>+</sup> migration within electrode lattices or across crystalline
boundaries and interfaces to the Li<sup>+</sup> accommodation and
dislocation at potentials far away from the thermodynamic equilibria
of electrolytes. Among all, the interphases situated between electrodes
and electrolytes remain the most elusive component in LIBs.Interphases form because no electrolyte component (salt anion,
solvent molecules) could remain thermodynamically stable at the extreme
potentials where electrodes in modern LIBs operate, and their chemical
ingredients come from the sacrificial decompositions of electrolyte
components. The presence of an interphase on electrodes ensures reversibility
of Li<sup>+</sup> intercalation chemistry in anode and cathode at
extreme potentials and defines the cycle life, power and energy densities,
and even safety of the eventual LIBs device. Despite such importance
and numerous investigations dedicated in the past two decades, we
still cannot explain why, nor predict whether, certain electrolyte
solvents can form a protective interphase to support the reversible
Li<sup>+</sup> intercalation chemistries while others destroy the
electrode structure. The most representative example is the long-standing
âECâPC Disparityâ and the two interphasial extremities
induced therefrom: differing by only one methyl substituent, ethylene
carbonate (EC) forms almost ideal interphases on the graphitic anode,
thus becoming the indispensable solvent in all LIBs manufactured today,
while propylene carbonate (PC) does not form any protective interphase,
leading to catastrophic exfoliation of the graphitic structure. With
one after another hypotheses proposed but none satisfactorily rationalizing
this disparity on the molecular level, this mystery has been puzzling
the battery and electrochemistry community for decades.In this
Account, we attempted to decipher this mystery by reviewing
the key factors that govern the interaction between the graphitic
structure and the solvated Li<sup>+</sup> right before interphase
formation. Combining DFT calculation and experiments, we identified
the partial desolvation of the solvated Li<sup>+</sup> at graphite
edge sites as a critical step, in which the competitive solvation
of Li<sup>+</sup> by anion and solvent molecules dictates whether
an electrolyte is destined to form a protective interphase. Applying
this model to the knowledge of relative Li<sup>+</sup> solvation energy
and frontier molecular orbital energy gap, it becomes theoretically
possible now to predict whether a new solvent or anion would form
a complex with Li<sup>+</sup> leading to desirable interphases. Such
molecular-level understanding of interphasial processes provides guiding
principles to the effort of tailor-designing new electrolyte systems
for more aggressive battery chemistries beyond Li-ion
Free-Standing Na2/3Fe1/2Mn1/2O2@Graphene Film for a Sodium-Ion Battery Cathode
The development of high-performance cathodes for sodium-ion batteries remains a great challenge, while low-cost, high-capacity Na2/3Fe 1/2Mn1/2O2 is an attractive electrode material candidate comprised of earth-abundant elements. In this work, we designed and fabricated a free-standing, binder-free Na2/3Fe1/2Mn 1/2O2@graphene composite via a filtration process. The porous composite led to excellent electrochemical performance due to the facile transport for electrons and ions that was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy at different temperatures. The electrode delivered a reversible capacity of 156 mAh/g with high Coulombic efficiency. The importance of a fluorinated electrolyte additive with respect to the performance of this high-voltage cathode in Na-ion batteries was also investigated. © 2014 American Chemical Society.