NANOscientific

Jing Fu received her Master’s degree (2011) in Environmental Science & Engineering from East China University of Science and Technology, where she specialized in alkaline fuel cells. After graduation, she worked with Volvo Cars Corporation as a chassis design engineer (2011-2014). Jing is now pursuing her Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering under the supervision of Prof. Zhongwei Chen at the University of Waterloo.

HER CURRENT RESEARCH INTERESTS INCLUDE THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED NANOSTRUCTURED ELECTRODE MATERIALS AND SOLID-STATE ELECTROLYTES FOR FLEXIBLE RECHARGEABLE METAL-AIR BATTERIES.

Flexible bifunctional oxygen electrode through morphological emulation of human hair array for rechargeable zinc air batteries 

Zinc-air batteries have a huge weight advantage over comparable types and significantly improve energy density. Many researchers have sought highly efficient nanosized oxygen electrocatalysts for better battery performance and rechargeability, but the potential benefits of those catalysts are lost significantly by depositing physically on limited surfaces of the air electrodes. Inspired by the growth and morphology of the human hair, we have designed an electrically rechargeable, nanoarchitectured air electrode that morphologically emulates human hair array. This hair-like array, consisting of nanoassemblies involving two-dimensional mesoporous Co3O4 nanopetals in onedimensional carbon nanotubes, is supported vertically on a flexible stainless-steel mesh (Co3O4-NCNT/SS). The morphology of the hair-like nanoassemblies was well characterized by AFM, SEM and TEM techniques. Using the Co3O4-NCNT/SS air electrode, a solid-state zinc-air battery is able to deliver a high energy density of 847.6Wh kg-1, accompanied with excellent cycling stability over 600 h. In addition to the pronounced electrochemical performance, the superior mechanical flexibly of the Co3O4- NCNT/SS electrode allows its ! use in smartwearable electronic application

1.  How do you think your research will impact society in a positive way?

Batteries are a hugely important technology. Modern life would be impossible without them. Conventional approaches to powering mobile electronics have predominantly focused on maximizing capacity in rechargeable batteries intended as internal components in rigid products. New innovation and approaches to energy storage are required to meet the expanded physical and safety requirements of new flexible and thin form factor applications that are intended for new use cases, such as wearable electronics and on body medical devices. The flexible zinc-air battery technology we developed is essential to make electronics systems truly flexible while maintaining electrical functions. The unique feature of the nanostructured air electrode is key to robust flexibility and high energy density. Thus, we should expect battery technology advances to be one of the cornerstone enablers for new functionality and product design in thin, flexible, lightweight, and low cost electronics.

2.  What is the best or most useful part of using Park AFM for your research?

Park AFM is a very useful tool to analyze structural geometry and to acquire nanoscale morphology of my electrode material. Of particular use is the in-liquid imaging technology that AFM provides. This technique allows for the study of the electrochemical reaction analyses of the three-dimensional nanostructured electrode material in liquid electrolyte directly