Platinum and Palladium Nanotubes Based on Genetically Engineered Elastin–Mimetic Fusion Protein‐Fiber Templates: Synthesis and Application in Lithium‐O 2 Batteries

• Published in: Chemistry, an Asian journal Vol. 9; no. 9; pp. 2555 - 2559
• Main Authors: Guo, Guilue, Truong, Thi Hong Anh, Tan, Huiteng, Ang, Huixiang, Zhang, Wenyu, Xu, Chen, Rui, Xianghong, Hu, Zhaolong, Fong, Eileen, Yan, Qingyu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.09.2014
• ISSN: 1861-4728; 1861-471X
• DOI: 10.1002/asia.201402191

Abstract The coupling of proteins with self‐assembly properties and proteins that are capable of recognizing and mineralizing specific inorganic species is a promising strategy for the synthesis of nanoscale materials with controllable morphology and functionality. Herein, GPG‐AG3 protein fibers with both of these properties were constructed and served as templates for the synthesis of Pt and Pd nanotubes. The protein fibers of assembled GPG‐AG3 were more than 10 μm long and had diameters of 20–50 nm. The as‐synthesized Pt and Pd nanotubes were composed of dense layers of ∼3–5 nm Pt and Pd nanoparticles. When tested as cathodes in lithium‐O 2 batteries, the porous Pt nanotubes showed low charge potentials of 3.8 V, with round‐trip efficiencies of about 65 % at a current density of 100 mA g −1 .