Researchers have developed an interface-shrunk monomicelle assembly method to create asymmetric ultrafine mono-mesopore nanoparticles with open windows on hollow shells, Nature Communications reported. The design strategy draws inspiration from the fast, unidirectional capture mechanism of Nepenthes pitcher plants.
The resulting biomimetic nanoparticles measure approximately 45 nanometers across. Each particle features a mono-mesopore cavity of about 40 nanometers and an open window of roughly 20 nanometers. The fabrication process permits structural tuning, enabling window dimensions between 15 and 28 nanometers, shell thicknesses from 7 to 14 nanometers, and inner cavity sizes ranging from 38 to 59 nanometers. The prepared material provides a surface area of 1312 square meters per gram alongside abundant pseudocapacitive sites.
When evaluated as cathode components in zinc-ion hybrid capacitors, the asymmetric nanoparticles demonstrated low charge-transfer impedance. Under testing, the cathode material delivered a maximum capacity of 210 milliampere-hours per gram.
Jie Wang, Xiankai Fan, and Luxiao Zhang contributed equally to the work, leading a team from Inner Mongolia University, Fudan University, Zhengzhou University, and Ordos Kubuqi New Energy Co., Ltd. Finite element simulations were conducted by Professor Xinxin Liu of Zhengzhou University, with computational assistance provided by the Scientific Compass platform. Financial backing included support from the National Key R&D program of China under the Singapore-China Joint Flagship Project for clean energy.
