title: Catechol-mediated reversible binding of multivalent cations in eumelanin half-cells.
abstract: Electrochemical storage systems that utilize divalent cations such as Mg2+ can improve the volumetric charge storage capacities compared to those that use monovalent ions. Here, a cathode based on naturally derived melanin pigments is used in secondary Mg2+ batteries. Redox active catechol groups in melanins permit efficient and reversible exchange of divalent Mg2+ cations to preserve charge storage capacity in biopolymer cathodes for more than 500 cycles.
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Young Jo
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Sang-Eun
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Chun
authors.forename: Jay F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Whitacre
authors.forename: Christopher J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Bettinger
mesh_terms: D002396:Catechols / Q000737:chemistry*; D002412:Cations / Q000737:chemistry; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004563:Electrochemistry; D004566:Electrodes; D008543:Melanins / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D002396:Catechols; D002412:Cations; D008543:Melanins; C041877:eumelanin; C034221:catechol
keywords: batteries; biopolymers; electrochemical storage; magnesium; melanin