Discovery of a three-proton insertion mechanism in α-molybdenum trioxide leading to enhanced charge storage capacity

The α-molybdenum trioxide has attracted much attention for proton storage owing to its easily modified bilayer structure, fast proton insertion kinetics, and high theoretical specific capacity. However, the fundamental science of the proton insertion mechanism in α-molybdenum trioxide has not been f...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nature communications 2023-09, Vol.14 (1), p.5490-5490, Article 5490
Main Authors: Lei, Yongjiu, Zhao, Wenli, Yin, Jun, Ma, Yinchang, Zhao, Zhiming, Yin, Jian, Khan, Yusuf, Hedhili, Mohamed Nejib, Chen, Long, Wang, Qingxiao, Yuan, Youyou, Zhang, Xixiang, Bakr, Osman M., Mohammed, Omar F., Alshareef, Husam N.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
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Bilayers
Discharge
Discharge capacity
Electrolytes
Humanities and Social Sciences
Hydronium ions
Insertion
Intercalation
Interlayers
Liquid crystals
Molybdenum
Molybdenum trioxide
multidisciplinary
Phosphoric acid
Protons
Science
Science (multidisciplinary)
Specific capacity
Storage capacity
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Summary:The α-molybdenum trioxide has attracted much attention for proton storage owing to its easily modified bilayer structure, fast proton insertion kinetics, and high theoretical specific capacity. However, the fundamental science of the proton insertion mechanism in α-molybdenum trioxide has not been fully understood. Herein, we uncover a three-proton intercalation mechanism in α-molybdenum trioxide using a specially designed phosphoric acid based liquid crystalline electrolyte. The semiconductor-to-metal transition behavior and the expansion of the lattice interlayers of α-molybdenum trioxide after trapping one mole of protons are verified experimentally and theoretically. Further investigation of the morphology of α-molybdenum trioxide indicates its fracture behavior upon the proton intercalation process, which creates diffusion channels for hydronium ions. Notably, the observation of an additional redox behavior at low potential endows α-molybdenum trioxide with an improved specific discharge capacity of 362 mAh g −1 . The proton insertion mechanism in α-molybdenum trioxide remains incompletely elucidated. Herein, the authors uncover a three-proton intercalation mechanism within α-molybdenum trioxide using a specially designed electrolyte, which endows α-molybdenum trioxide with an improved specific discharge capacity.
ISSN:2041-1723
2041-1723
DOI:10.1038/s41467-023-41277-8