Abstract: In some variations, a hydrogen-storage material formulation comprises: a solid hydrogen-storage material containing at least one metal and hydrogen that is bonded with the metal; and a liquid electrolyte that is ionically conductive for at least one ion derived from the hydrogen-storage material. The liquid electrolyte may be from 5 wt % to about 20 wt % of the hydrogen-storage material formulation, for example. Many materials are possible for both the hydrogen-storage material as well as the liquid electrolyte. The hydrogen-storage material has a higher hydrogen evolution rate in the presence of the liquid electrolyte compared to a hydrogen-storage material without the liquid electrolyte. This is experimentally demonstrated with a destabilized metal hydride, MgH2/Si system, incorporating a LiI—KI—CsI ternary eutectic salt as the liquid electrolyte. Inclusion of the liquid electrolyte gives a ten-fold increase in H2 evolution rate at 250° C., reaching 3.5 wt % hydrogen released in only 7 hours.

Abstract: Provided are methods for storing gases on porous adsorbents, methods for optimizing the storage of gases on porous adsorbents, methods of making porous adsorbents, and methods of gas storage of optimized compositions, as in systems containing porous adsorbents and gas adsorbed on the surface of the porous adsorbent. The disclosed methods and systems feature a constant or increasing isosteric enthalpy of adsorption as a function of uptake of the gas onto the exposed surface of a porous adsorbent. Adsorbents with a porous geometry and surface dimensions suited to a particular adsorbate are exposed to the gas at elevated pressures in the specific regime where n/V (density) is larger than predicted by the ideal gas law by more than several percent.

Abstract: Provided are methods for storing gases on porous adsorbents, methods for optimizing the storage of gases on porous adsorbents, methods of making porous adsorbents, and methods of gas storage of optimized compositions, as in systems containing porous adsorbents and gas adsorbed on the surface of the porous adsorbent. The disclosed methods and systems feature a constant or increasing isosteric enthalpy of adsorption as a function of uptake of the gas onto the exposed surface of a porous adsorbent. Adsorbents with a porous geometry and surface dimensions suited to a particular adsorbate are exposed to the gas at elevated pressures in the specific regime where n/V (density) is larger than predicted by the ideal gas law by more than several percent.

Abstract: Electrodes comprising an alkali metal, for example, lithium, alloyed with nanostructured materials of formula SizGe(z-1), where 0<z?1; formula SizGe(z-1), where 0<z<1; and/or germanium exhibit a combination of improved capacities, cycle lives, and/or cycling rates compared with similar electrodes made from graphite. These electrodes are useful as anodes for secondary electrochemical cells, for example, batteries and electrochemical supercapacitors.

Abstract: Electrodes comprising an alkali metal, for example, lithium, alloyed with nanostructured materials of formula SizGe(z-1), where 0<z?1; formula SizGe(z-1), where 0<z<1; and/or germanium exhibit a combination of improved capacities, cycle lives, and/or cycling rates compared with similar electrodes made from graphite. These electrodes are useful as anodes for secondary electrochemical cells, for example, batteries and electrochemical supercapacitors.

Abstract: Methods of purifying samples are provided that are capable of removing carbonaceous and noncarbonaceous impurities from a sample containing a carbon material having a selected structure. Purification methods are provided for removing residual metal catalyst particles enclosed in multilayer carbonaceous impurities in samples generate by catalytic synthesis methods. Purification methods are provided wherein carbonaceous impurities in a sample are at least partially exfoliated, thereby facilitating subsequent removal of carbonaceous and noncarbonaceous impurities from the sample. Methods of purifying carbon nanotube-containing samples are provided wherein an intercalant is added to the sample and subsequently reacted with an exfoliation initiator to achieve exfoliation of carbonaceous impurities.

Abstract: Methods of purifying samples are provided that are capable of removing carbonaceous and noncarbonaceous impurities from a sample containing a carbon material having a selected structure. Purification methods are provided for removing residual metal catalyst particles enclosed in multilayer carbonaceous impurities in samples generate by catalytic synthesis methods. Purification methods are provided wherein carbonaceous impurities in a sample are at least partially exfoliated, thereby facilitating subsequent removal of carbonaceous and noncarbonaceous impurities from the sample. Methods of purifying carbon nanotube-containing samples are provided wherein an intercalant is added to the sample and subsequently reacted with an exfoliation initiator to achieve exfoliation of carbonaceous impurities.

Abstract: Methods of purifying samples are provided that are capable of removing carbonaceous and noncarbonaceous impurities from a sample containing a carbon material having a selected structure. Purification methods are provided for removing residual metal catalyst particles enclosed in multilayer carbonaceous impurities in samples generate by catalytic synthesis methods. Purification methods are provided wherein carbonaceous impurities in a sample are at least partially exfoliated, thereby facilitating subsequent removal of carbonaceous and noncarbonaceous impurities from the sample. Methods of purifying carbon nanotube-containing samples are provided wherein an intercalant is added to the sample and subsequently reacted with an exfoliation initiator to achieve exfoliation of carbonaceous impurities.

Abstract: Electrodes comprising lithium alloyed with nanostructured silicon materials exhibit improved capacities, cycle lives, and/or cycling rates compared with similar electrodes made from bulk silicon. The electrodes do not require a conductive diluent such as carbon black. These electrodes are useful as anodes for secondary electrochemical cells, for example, batteries and electrochemical supercapacitors.