Bamboo-Membrane Inspired Multilevel Ultrafast Interlayer Ion Transport for Superior Volumetric Energy Storage

Abstract

Interlayer transport of charges and carriers of 2D nanomaterials is a critical parameter that governs the material and device performance in energy storage applications. Inspired by multilevel natural bamboo-membrane with ultrafast water and electrolyte transport properties to support its super-rapid growth rate, 2D–2D multilevel heterostructured graphene-based membranes with tailored gradient interlayer channels are rationally designed for achieving ultrafast interlayer ion transport. The bioinspired heterostructured membranes possess multilevel interlayer spacing distributions, where the closely packed layers with sub-nanosized interlayer space provide ultrafast confined interlayer ion transport, while the loosely stacked outer layers consisting of open channels with large distances up to few micrometres are favorable for rapid wetting and penetration of liquid electrolytes. The combination of advantages of large-size open channels and nanosized confined channels offers ultrafast electrolyte wetting and permeation and interlayer ion transport and provide the devices with superior volumetric capacity as free-standing electrodes for rechargeable batteries.