Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a method of fabricating a metal-carbon fibrous structure is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) forming a fibrous support structure comprising composite nanocrystals and polymeric fibers, wherein each of the composite nanocrystals comprises metal ions connected by organic ligands; (b) growing the composite nanocrystals on the fibrous support structure; and (c) subjecting the fibrous support structure of step (b) to carbonization to form the metal-carbon fibrous structure, wherein the metal-carbon fibrous structure comprises metal nanoparticles derived from the composite nanocrystals. A metal-carbon fibrous structure comprising carbon based fibers arranged to form a porous network and the carbon based fibers are doped with metal nanoparticles, wherein the carbon based fibers have surfaces which comprise graphitic carbon, is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: There is provided a method of forming a porous particle comprising an electrically conductive continuous shell encapsulating a core, said core comprising an elemental compound that reversibly reduces in the presence of a cation and oxidizes in the absence of said cation, said method comprising the steps of: a) encapsulating an elemental compound precursor with said electrically conductive shell; b) reacting said elemental compound precursor with an oxidation agent to oxidise said elemental compound precursor to form said elemental compound, thereby forming said electrically conductive shell encapsulating said core comprising said elemental compound.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a method of fabricating a metal-carbon fibrous structure is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) forming a fibrous support structure comprising composite nanocrystals and polymeric fibers, wherein each of the composite nanocrystals comprises metal ions connected by organic ligands; (b) growing the composite nanocrystals on the fibrous support structure; and (c) subjecting the fibrous support structure of step (b) to carbonization to form the metal-carbon fibrous structure, wherein the metal-carbon fibrous structure comprises metal nanoparticles derived from the composite nanocrystals. A metal-carbon fibrous structure comprising carbon based fibers arranged to form a porous network and the carbon based fibers are doped with metal nanoparticles, wherein the carbon based fibers have surfaces which comprise graphitic carbon, is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a method of fabricating a metal-carbon fibrous structure is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) forming a fibrous support structure comprising composite nanocrystals and polymeric fibers, wherein each of the composite nanocrystals comprises metal ions connected by organic ligands; (b) growing the composite nanocrystals on the fibrous support structure; and (c) subjecting the fibrous support structure of step (b) to carbonization to form the metal-carbon fibrous structure, wherein the metal-carbon fibrous structure comprises metal nanoparticles derived from the composite nanocrystals comprising metal organic framework (MOF), particularly zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF). A metal-carbon fibrous structure comprising carbon based fibers arranged to form a porous network and the carbon based fibers are doped with metal nanoparticles, wherein the carbon based fibers have surfaces which comprise graphitic carbon, is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coating composition comprising a) a metal complex comprising an organic acid or anion thereof coordinated to a metal ion; and b) a polymer, wherein there is no covalent bond between said metal complex and the polymer.

Abstract: There is provided a method of forming a porous particle comprising an electrically conductive continuous shell encapsulating a core, said core comprising an elemental compound that reversibly reduces in the presence of a cation and oxidizes in the absence of said cation, said method comprising the steps of: a) encapsulating an elemental compound precursor with said electrically conductive shell; b) reacting said elemental compound precursor with an oxidation agent to oxidise said elemental compound precursor to form said elemental compound, thereby forming said electrically conductive shell encapsulating said core comprising said elemental compound.

Abstract: There is provided a method of forming a porous particle comprising an electrically conductive continuous shell encapsulating a core, said core comprising an elemental compound that reversibly reduces in the presence of a cation and oxidizes in the absence of said cation, said method comprising the steps of: a) encapsulating an elemental compound precursor with said electrically conductive shell; b) reacting said elemental compound precursor with an oxidation agent to oxidize said elemental compound precursor to form said elemental compound, thereby forming said electrically conductive shell encapsulating said core comprising said elemental compound.

Abstract: According to the present disclosure, a method of fabricating a metal-carbon fibrous structure is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) forming a fibrous support structure comprising composite nanocrystals and polymeric fibers, wherein each of the composite nanocrystals comprises metal ions connected by organic ligands; (b) growing the composite nanocrystals on the fibrous support structure; and (c) subjecting the fibrous support structure of step (b) to carbonization to form the metal-carbon fibrous structure, wherein the metal-carbon fibrous structure comprises metal nanoparticles derived from the composite nanocrystals comprising metal organic framework (MOF), particularly zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF). A metal-carbon fibrous structure comprising carbon based fibers arranged to form a porous network and the carbon based fibers are doped with metal nanoparticles, wherein the carbon based fibers have surfaces which comprise graphitic carbon, is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing transition metal phosphide comprising the step of mixing a solution of a transition metal precursor and a phosphorous precursor under conditions to form the transition metal phosphide. There is also provided a transition metal phosphide particle made according to the method as defined herein. There is additionally provided a method of preparing a transition metal phosphide-based electrode used for producing hydrogen in the electrolysis of water.

Abstract: The present invention provides a coating composition comprising a) a metal complex comprising an organic acid or anion thereof coordinated to a metal ion; and b) a polymer, wherein there is no covalent bond between said metal complex and the polymer.

Abstract: There is provided a method of forming a porous particle comprising an electrically conductive continuous shell encapsulating a core, said core comprising an elemental compound that reversibly reduces in the presence of a cation and oxidizes in the absence of said cation, said method comprising the steps of: a) encapsulating an elemental compound precursor with said electrically conductive shell; b) reacting said elemental compound precursor with an oxidation agent to oxidise said elemental compound precursor to form said elemental compound, thereby forming said electrically conductive shell encapsulating said core comprising said elemental compound.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing transition metal phosphide comprising the step of mixing a solution of a transition metal precursor and a phosphorous precursor under conditions to form the transition metal phosphide. There is also provided a transition metal phosphide particle made according to the method as defined herein. There is additionally provided a method of preparing a transition metal phosphide-based electrode used for producing hydrogen in the electrolysis of water.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a catalyst for a metal air battery or fuel cell comprising a mixed metal oxide consisting of at least one lanthanide element and at least two different transition metal elements. The catalyst may further comprise a conducting additive. The present disclosure further provides an air electrode, metal air battery or fuel cell comprising the disclosed catalyst, and methods for forming the disclosed catalyst.