Abstract: An electrode for a lithium ion battery, the electrode including nanoporous silicon structures, each nanoporous silicon structure defining a multiplicity of pores, a binder, and a conductive substrate. The nanoporous silicon structures are mixed with the binder to form a composition, and the composition is adhered to the conductive substrate to form the electrode. The nanoporous silicon may be, for example, nanoporous silicon nanowires or nanoporous silicon formed by etching a silicon wafer, metallurgical grade silicon, silicon nanoparticles, or silicon prepared from silicon precursors in a plasma or chemical vapor deposition process. The nanoporous silicon structures may be coated or combined with a carbon-containing compound, such as reduced graphene oxide. The electrode has a high specific capacity (e.g., above 1000 mAh/g at current rate of 0.4 A/g, above 1000 mAh/g at a current rate of 2.0 A/g, or above 1400 mAh/g at a current rate of 1.0 A/g).

Abstract: An electrode includes a first free-standing carbon network, an active material deposited above the first free-standing carbon network, and a second free-standing carbon network covering the active material. The first and second carbon networks are a binder, a conductive additive and a current collector to the electrode.

Abstract: A method includes combining a coating material and an uncoated particulate core material in a solution having a selected ionic strength. The selected ionic strength promotes coating of the uncoated particulate core material with the coating material to form coated particles; and the coated particles can be collected after formation. The coating material has a higher electrical conductivity than the core material.

Abstract: An electrode includes a first free-standing carbon network, an active material deposited above the first free-standing carbon network, and a second free-standing carbon network covering the active material. The first and second carbon networks are a binder, a conductive additive and a current collector to the electrode.

Abstract: A method includes combining a coating material and an uncoated particulate core material in a solution having a selected ionic strength. The selected ionic strength promotes coating of the uncoated particulate core material with the coating material to form coated particles; and the coated particles can be collected after formation. The coating material has a higher electrical conductivity than the core material.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method suitable for large-scale producing silver nanostructures including nanoparticles and nanowires with high crystallization and purity in a short period of time. In this method, silver particles with mean diameter less than 200 nm and silver nanowires with length in micrometers are produced through a microwave-assisted wet chemistry method. Tens to hundreds grams of silver nanoparticles and nanowires are obtained in minutes by microwave irradiation treatment to a precursor pre-made by highly concentrated silver salt solution and other additives. These silver nanoparticles and nanowires have good dispersibility and are ideal for forming conductive adhesives.

Abstract: An electrode for a lithium ion battery, the electrode including nanoporous silicon structures, each nanoporous silicon structure defining a multiplicity of pores, a binder, and a conductive substrate. The nanoporous silicon structures are mixed with the binder to form a composition, and the composition is adhered to the conductive substrate to form the electrode. The nanoporous silicon may be, for example, nanoporous silicon nanowires or nanoporous silicon formed by etching a silicon wafer, metallurgical grade silicon, silicon nanoparticles, or silicon prepared from silicon precursors in a plasma or chemical vapor deposition process. The nanoporous silicon structures may be coated or combined with a carbon-containing compound, such as reduced graphene oxide. The electrode has a high specific capacity (e.g., above 1000 mAh/g at current rate of 0.4 A/g, above 1000 mAh/g at a current rate of 2.0 A/g, or above 1400 mAh/g at a current rate of 1.0 A/g).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method suitable for large-scale producing silver nanostructures including nanoparticles and nanowires with high crystallization and purity in a short period of time. In this method, silver particles with mean diameter less than 200 nm and silver nanowires with length in micrometers are produced through a microwave-assisted wet chemistry method. Tens to hundreds grams of silver nanoparticles and nanowires are obtained in minutes by microwave irradiation treatment to a precursor pre-made by highly concentrated silver salt solution and other additives. These silver nanoparticles and nanowires have good dispersibility and are ideal for forming conductive adhesives.