Radially unfolded nanosheets in polyacrylonitrile nanofibers: A biomimetics construct of high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries

Electro-spun nanofibers are popular in the field of flexible materials, and its derived materials as a selfsupporting electrode are widely available in wearable electronics. Herein, we reported an ingenious approach to achieve nanofibers equipped with neuron-like structure, in which two-dimensional (2D) subunits are creatively in tandem with one-dimensional (1D) skeleton. This unique structure was derived from an ultrathin nanosheets have radially unfolded in polyacrylonitrile nanofibers via simple electro-spinning process. Due to the dexterously modification of the 2D units within a 1D skeleton, neuron-like nanofibers (NRN-NFs) possessed perdurable flexible backbone, abundant reactive surface, and additional irregular interface. Benefiting from these features, the derived carbon-based material as an anode of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) possessed rapid electron/ion transfer efficiency and excellent volumetric strain capacity, which is beneficial for glorious rate property and durable cycle performance. This work provides a novel strategy and original insight into construction of high-performance fiber-based electrode through morphology engineering by biomimetic structure.