Rechargeable Lithium Battery Based on a Single Hexagonal Tungsten Trioxide Nanowire

With the development of nanoscience and nanotechnology, various nanodevices have been successfully demonstrated, such as single electron devices, logic gates, chemical biological sensors, nano-robotics, etc. However, these nanodevices are still powered by external power sources at present. For practical applications, external power sources actually cause a lot of inconvenience and even hinder the functionalities of the nanodevices. Thus, integration of multifunctional nanodevices with nanoscale power sources into a fully functional nanosystem will be in high demand in future. Recently, several groups have reported on nano-power sources. Some experts have developed a nanometer solar cell with a p-type/intrinsic/n-type (p–i–n) coaxial silicon nanowire. Under the solar illumination, the nano-solar cell could serve as a robust power source to drive nanosensors and logic gates. Some experts constructed a nanogenerator from zinc oxide nanowire arrays, which could convert mechanical energy into electrical energy by means of piezoelectric effect. However, neither the nano solar cells nor the nanogenerator could store energy and release it when necessary. Obviously, it is essential to develop nanoscale energy storage devices to realize self-powered nanosystems in future.

The scientist reported on a rechargeable lithium battery based on a single hexagonal tungsten oxide (h-WO₃) nanowire. This nanobattery can discharge at a voltage of 0.27–0.1 V and a current of 20–10 pA for more than 1000 s with a capacity of 15.2 nC, suggesting that each WO₃ molecule could accommodate 1.8–2.2 Li⁺ ions on average. It exhibits excellent stability and repeatability. Real time ultraviolet (UV) light detection is achieved through a single WO₃ nanowire based UV sensor, which is powered by the nanobattery.

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