Regulating Li-Ion Transport through Ultrathin Molecular Membrane to Enable High-Performance All-Solid-State-Battery

Solid-state lithium metal batteries with garnet-type electrolyte provide several advantages over conventional lithium-ion batteries, especially for safety and energy density. However, a few grand challenges such as the propagation of Li dendrites, poor interfacial contact between the solid electrolyte and the electrodes, and formation of lithium carbonate during ambient exposure over the solid-state electrolyte prevent the viability of such batteries. Herein, an ultrathin sub-nanometer porous carbon nanomembrane (CNM) is employed on the surface of solid-state electrolyte (SSE) that increases the adhesion of SSE with electrodes, prevents lithium carbonate formation over the surface, regulates the flow of Li-ions, and blocks any electronic leakage. The sub-nanometer scale pores in CNM allow rapid permeation of Li-ions across the electrode-electrolyte interface without the presence of any liquid medium. Additionally, CNM suppresses the propagation of Li dendrites by over sevenfold up to a current density of 0.7 mA cm-2 and enables the cycling of all-solid-state batteries at low stack pressure of 2 MPa using LiFePO4 cathode and Li metal anode. The CNM provides chemical stability to the solid electrolyte for over 4 weeks of ambient exposure with less than a 4% increase in surface impurities.

Fusion of purple membranes triggered by immobilization on carbon nanomembranes

A freestanding ultrathin hybrid membrane was synthesized comprising two functional layers, that is, first, a carbon nanomembrane (CNM) produced by electron irradiation-induced cross-linking of a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of 4'-nitro-1,1'-biphenyl-4-thiol (NBPT) and second, purple membrane (PM) containing genetically modified bacteriorhodopsin (BR) carrying a C-terminal His-tag. The NBPT-CNM was further modified to carry nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) terminal groups for the interaction with the His-tagged PMs forming a quasi-monolayer of His-tagged PM on top of the CNM-NTA. The formation of the Ni-NTA/His-tag complex leads to the unidirectional orientation of PM on the CNM substrate. Electrophoretic sedimentation was employed to optimize the surface coverage and to close gaps between the PM patches. This procedure for the immobilization of oriented dense PM facilitates the spontaneous fusion of individual PM patches, forming larger membrane areas. This is, to our knowledge, the very first procedure described to induce the oriented fusion of PM on a solid support. The resulting hybrid membrane has a potential application as a light-driven two-dimensional proton-pumping membrane, for instance, for light-driven seawater desalination as envisioned soon after the discovery of PM.

Large-Area All-Carbon Nanocapacitors from Graphene and Carbon Nanomembranes

We report on the fabrication of large-area all-carbon capacitors (ACCs) composed of multilayer stacks of carbon nanomembranes as dielectrics sandwiched between two carbon-based conducting electrodes. Carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) are prepared from aromatic self-assembled monolayers of phenylthiol homologues via electron irradiation. Two types of carbon-based electrode materials, (1) trilayer graphene made by chemical vapor deposition and mechanical stacking and (2) pyrolyzed graphitic carbon made by pyrolysis of cross-linked aromatic molecules, have been employed for this study. The capacitor area is defined by the width of electrode ribbons, and the separation between two electrodes is tuned by the number of CNM layers. Working ACCs with an area of up to 1200 μm² were successfully fabricated by a combination of bottom-up molecular self-assembly and top-down lithographic approaches. Then ACCs were characterized by Raman spectroscopy, helium ion microscopy, and impedance spectroscopy. A dielectric constant of 3.5 and an average capacitance density of 0.3 μF/cm² were derived from the obtained capacitances. A dielectric strength of 3.2 MV/cm was determined for CNMs embedded in graphene electrodes with the interfacial capacitance being taken into account. These results show the potential of carbon nanomembranes to be used as dielectric components in next-generation environment-friendly carbon-based energy storage devices.

Amplified cross-linking efficiency of self-assembled monolayers through targeted dissociative electron attachment for the production of carbon nanomembranes

The determination of the negative ion yield of 2'-chloro-1,1'-biphenyl (2-Cl-BP), 2'-bromo-1,1'-biphenyl (2-Br-BP) and 2'-iodo-1,1'-biphenyl (2-I-BP) upon dissociative electron attachment (DEA) at an electron energy of 0 eV revealed cross section values that were more than ten times higher for iodide loss from 2-I-BP than for the other halogenides from the respective biphenyls (BPs). Comparison with dissociative ionization mass spectra shows that the ratio of the efficiency of electron impact ionization induced fragmentation of 2-I-BP, 2-Br-BP, and 2-Cl-BP amounts to approximately 1:0.7:0.6. Inspired by these results, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of the respective biphenyl-4-thiols, 2-Cl-BPT, 2-Br-BPT, 2-I-BPT as well as BPT, were grown on a Au(111) substrate and exposed to 50 eV electrons. The effect of electron irradiation was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), to determine whether the high relative DEA cross section for iodide loss from 2-I-BPT as compared to 2-Br-BP and 2-Cl-BP is reflected in the cross-linking efficiency of SAMs made from these materials. Such sensitization could reduce the electron dose needed for the cross-linking process and may thus lead to a significantly faster conversion of the respective SAMs into carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) without the need for an increased current density. XPS data support the notation that DEA sensitization may be used to achieve more efficient electron-induced cross-linking of SAMs, revealing more than ten times faster cross-linking of 2-I-BPT SAMs compared to those made from the other halogenated biphenyls or from native BPT at the same current density. Furthermore, the transfer of a freestanding membrane onto a TEM grid and the subsequent investigation by helium ion microscopy (HIM) verified the existence of a mechanically stable CNM created from 2-I-BPT after exposure to an electron dose as low as 1.8 mC/cm2. In contrast, SAMs made from BPT, 2-Cl-BPT and 2-Br-BPT did not form stable CNMs after a significantly higher electron dose of 9 mC/cm2.

Through a Window, Brightly: A Review of Selected Nanofabricated Thin-Film Platforms for Spectroscopy, Imaging, and Detection

We present a review of the use of selected nanofabricated thin films to deliver a host of capabilities and insights spanning bioanalytical and biophysical chemistry, materials science, and fundamental molecular-level research. We discuss approaches where thin films have been vital, enabling experimental studies using a variety of optical spectroscopies across the visible and infrared spectral range, electron microscopies, and related techniques such as electron energy loss spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and single molecule sensing. We anchor this broad discussion by highlighting two particularly exciting exemplars: a thin-walled nanofluidic sample cell concept that has advanced the discovery horizons of ultrafast spectroscopy and of electron microscopy investigations of in-liquid samples; and a unique class of thin-film-based nanofluidic devices, designed around a nanopore, with expansive prospects for single molecule sensing. Free-standing, low-stress silicon nitride membranes are a canonical structural element for these applications, and we elucidate the fabrication and resulting features-including mechanical stability, optical properties, X-ray and electron scattering properties, and chemical nature-of this material in this format. We also outline design and performance principles and include a discussion of underlying material preparations and properties suitable for understanding the use of alternative thin-film materials such as graphene.

Imaging of carbon nanomembranes with helium ion microscopy

Carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) prepared from aromatic self-assembled monolayers constitute a recently developed class of 2D materials. They are made by a combination of self-assembly, radiation-induced cross-linking and the detachment of the cross-linked SAM from its substrate. CNMs can be deposited on arbitrary substrates, including holey and perforated ones, as well as on metallic (transmission electron microscopy) grids. Therewith, freestanding membranes with a thickness of 1 nm and macroscopic lateral dimensions can be prepared. Although free-standing CNMs cannot be imaged by light microscopy, charged particle techniques can visualize them. However, CNMs are electrically insulating, which makes them sensitive to charging. We demonstrate that the helium ion microscope (HIM) is a good candidate for imaging freestanding CNMs due to its efficient charge compensation tool. Scanning with a beam of helium ions while recording the emitted secondary electrons generates the HIM images. The advantages of HIM are high resolution, high surface sensitivity and large depth of field. The effects of sample charging, imaging of multilayer CNMs as well as imaging artefacts are discussed.

All-carbon vertical van der Waals heterostructures: non-destructive functionalization of graphene for electronic applications

Non-destructive chemical functionalization of graphene for applications in electronic devices (e.g., sensors or transducers) is achieved via assembly of carbon nanomembrane (CNM)/single-layer graphene (SLG) van der Waals heterostructures. The CNMs are 1 nm-thick, dielectric molecular sheets terminated with functional amino groups. The structure and performance of heterostructured field-effect transistors (FETs) are characterized by photoelectron/Raman spectroscopy and by electric transport measurements in vacuum, ambient conditions and water.

Mechanical characterization of carbon nanomembranes from self-assembled monolayers

This paper reports on the mechanical characterization of carbon nanomembranes (CNMs) with a thickness of 1 nm that are fabricated by electron-induced crosslinking of aromatic self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). A novel type of in situ bulge test employing an atomic force microscope (AFM) is utilized to investigate their mechanical properties. A series of biphenyl-based molecules with different types of terminal and/or anchor groups were used to prepare the CNMs, such as 4'-[(3-trimethoxysilyl)propoxy]-[1,1'-biphenyl]-4-carbonitrile (CBPS), 1,1'-biphenyl-4-thiol (BPT) and 4-nitro-1,1'-biphenyl-4-thiol (NBPT). The elastic properties, viscoelastic behaviors and ultimate tensile strength of these biphenyl-based CNMs are investigated and discussed.