Reticulate Dual‐Nanowire Aerogel for Multifunctional Applications: a High‐Performance Strain Sensor and a High Areal Capacity Rechargeable Anode

Nanowire aerogels (NWAs) are highly versatile and used in many applications. However, most synthesized NWAs are composed of single components that may produce unsatisfactory aggregated performance in mechanical strength, conductivity, and electrochemistry. To address this issue, a reticulate dual‐nanowire aerogel (rDNWA) composed of FeS 2 nanowires and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via a simple solvothermal method is synthesized. The rDNWA possesses excellent compressibility (modulus of 1.32 MPa), good conductivity (0.65 S cm −1 ), and high porosity (>98%). It can be applied as a high‐performance strain sensor with good sensitivity (Gauge Factor = 1.69) and enhanced stability. It can be densified to yield a high areal capacity of 10.0 mAh cm −2 and a high mass loading of 14.4 mg cm −2 after 100 cycles. As a freestanding anode for lithium ion battery (LIB), it exhibits a high specific mass capacity of 1031 mAh g −1 after 100 cycles at a current density of 100 mA g −1 and retains it to 729 mAh g −1 at a current density of 500 mA g −1 after 400 cycles. The outstanding overall performance of the hybrid aerogel is derived from the synergistic effect of intertwined CNTs and FeS 2 nanowires and can be extended to fabricate NWAs with novel multifunctional capabilities.