Abstract: Composite materials containing sulfurized polymers and sulfur-containing particles can be used in lithium-sulfur energy storage devices as a positive electrode. The composite material exhibits relatively high capacity retention and high charge/discharge cycle stability. In one particular instance, the composite comprises a sulfurized polymer having chains that are cross-linked through sulfur bonds. The polymer provides a matrix in which sulfide and/or polysulfide intermediates formed during electrochemical charge-discharge processes of sulfur can be confined through chemical bonds and not mere physical confinement or sorption.

Abstract: Composite materials containing sulfurized polymers and sulfur-containing particles can be used in lithium-sulfur energy storage devices as a positive electrode. The composite material exhibits relatively high capacity retention and high charge/discharge cycle stability. In one particular instance, the composite comprises a sulfurized polymer having chains that are cross-linked through sulfur bonds. The polymer provides a matrix in which sulfide and/or polysulfide intermediates formed during electrochemical charge-discharge processes of sulfur can be confined through chemical bonds and not mere physical confinement or sorption.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to hierarchical inorganic materials and a method for making and using same. The materials of the invention have a controlled hardness, porosity, and surface area ideally suited for use as, e.g., durable catalyst supports for reactions conducted in severe and/or hydrothermal environments. The materials of the invention are prepared by infusing hierarchical templates of suitably shaped sized cellulosic or lignocellulosic particles (e.g., from wood, bamboo, and the like) with soluble transition-metal and/or ceramic precursors. Infused templates are heated in a gaseous atmosphere until volatile chemical components are removed. After drying, the infused templates are heated under flowing argon, helium, or air atmosphere for several hours to remove volatiles and convert all or part of the transition-metal and/or ceramic precursors to respective carbide, oxycarbide, or other chemical forms.

Abstract: Cobalt-nickel oxide films of nominal 100 nm thickness, and resistivity as low as 0.06 ?·cm have been deposited by spin-casting from both aqueous and organic precursor solutions followed by annealing at 450° C. in air. An increase in film resistivity was found upon substitution of other cations (e.g., Zn2+, Al3+) for Ni in the spinel structure. However, some improvement in the mechanical properties of the films resulted. On the other hand, addition of small amounts of Li decreased the resistivity. A combination of XRD, XPS, UV/Vis and Raman spectroscopy indicated that NiCo2O4 is the primary conducting component and that the conductivity reaches a maximum at this stoichiometry. When x<0.67, NiO forms leading to an increase in resistivity; when x>0.67, the oxide was all spinel but the increased Co content lowered the conductivity.

Abstract: Cobalt-nickel oxide films of nominal 100 nm thickness, and resistivity as low as 0.06 &OHgr;·cm have been deposited by spin-casting from both aqueous and organic precursor solutions followed by annealing at 450° C. in air. Films deposited on sapphire substrates exhibit a refractive index of about 1.7 and are relatively transparent in the wavelength region from 0.6 to 10.0 &mgr;m. They are also magnetic. The electrical and spectroscopic properties of the oxides have been studied as a function of x=Co/(Co+Ni) ratio. An increase in film resistivity was found upon substitution of other cations (e.g., Zn2+, Al3+) for Ni in the spinel structure. However, some improvement in the mechanical properties of the films resulted. On the other hand, addition of small amounts of Li decreased the resistivity. A combination of XRD, XPS, UV/vis and Raman spectroscopy indicated that NiCo2O4 is the primary conducting component and that the conductivity reaches a maximum at this stoichiometry.

Abstract: Cobalt-nickel oxide films of nominal 100 nm thickness, and resistivity as low as 0.06 &OHgr;·cm have been deposited by spin-casting from both aqueous and organic precursor solutions followed by annealing at 450° C. in air. Films deposited on sapphire substrates exhibit a refractive index of about 1.7 and are relatively transparent in the wavelength region from 0.6 to 10.0 &mgr;m. They are also magnetic. The electrical and spectroscopic properties of the oxides have been studied as a function of x=Co/(Co+Ni) ratio. An increase in film resistivity was found upon substitution of other cations (e.g., Zn2+, Al3+) for Ni in the spinel structure. However, some improvement in the mechanical properties of the films resulted. On the other hand, addition of small amounts of Li decreased the resistivity. A combination of XRD, XPS, UV/Vis and Raman spectroscopy indicated that NiCo2O4 is the primary conducting component and that the conductivity reaches a maximum at this stoichiometry.

Abstract: Cobalt-nickel oxide films of nominal 100 nm thickness, and resistivity as low as 0.06 &OHgr;•cm have been deposited by spin-casting from both aqueous and organic precursor solutions followed by annealing at 450° C. in air. Films deposited on sapphire substrates exhibit a refractive index of about 1.7 and are relatively transparent in the wavelength region from 0.6 to 10.0 &mgr;m. They are also magnetic. The electrical and spectroscopic properties of the oxides have been studied as a function of x=Co/(Co+Ni) ratio. An increase in film resistivity was found upon substitution of other cations (e.g., Zn2+, Al3+) for Ni in the spinel structure. However, some improvement in the mechanical properties of the films resulted. On the other hand, addition of small amounts of Li decreased the resistivity. A combination of XRD, XPS, UV/Vis and Raman spectroscopy indicated that NiCo2O4 is the primary conducting component and that the conductivity reaches a maximum at this stoichiometry.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for reducing a dopant in a film of a metal oxide wherein the dopant is reduced and the first metal oxide is substantially not reduced. The method of the present invention relies upon exposing the film to reducing conditions for a predetermined time and reducing a valence of the metal from a positive valence to a zero valence and maintaining atoms with a zero valence in an atomic configuration within the lattice structure of the metal oxide. According to the present invention, exposure to reducing conditions may be achieved electrochemically or achieved in an elevated temperature gas phase.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the destruction of emissions from an internal combustion engine wherein a substrate coated with TiO.sub.2 is exposed to a light source in the exhaust system of an internal combustion engine thereby catalyzing oxidation/reduction reactions between gaseous hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and oxygen in the exhaust of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The invention is a composition of an inorganic-organic polymer composite and a method of making it. The inorganic portion of the fundamental polymer composite polymer repeat is a speciated inorganic heterocyclic compound, and the organic portion of the polymer repeat is a cyclic organic radical anion compound having at least two charged sites. The composition of the present invention is made by combining a cyclic organic radical anion compound with a speciated inorganic heterocyclic compound by a nucleophilic substitution thereby forming a polymer of an inorganic-organic composite. The cyclic organic radical anion compound is preferably generated electrochemically. The nucleophilic substitution is alternately carried out chemically or electrochemically. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes performing the nucleophilic substitution at the cathode of an electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new glass/polymer composites and methods for making them. More specifically, the invention is glass/polymer composites having phases that are at the molecular level and thereby practicably indistinguishable. The invention further discloses making molecular phase glass/polymer composites by mixing a glass and a polymer in a compatible solvent.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the formation of homogeneous, aqueous precursor mixtures of at least one substantially soluble metal salt and a substantially soluble, combustible co-reactant compound, typically an amino acid. This produces, upon evaporation, a substantially homogeneous intermediate material having a total solids level which would support combustion. The homogeneous intermediate material essentially comprises highly dispersed or solvated metal constituents and the co-reactant compound. The intermediate material is quite flammable. A metal oxide powder results on ignition of the intermediate product which combusts same to produce the product powder.

Abstract: A new chemical method of forming thin ceramic films has been developed. An aqueous solution of metal nitrates or other soluble metal salts and a low molecular weight amino acid is coated onto a substrate and pyrolyzed. The amino acid serves to prevent precipitation of individual solution components, forming a very viscous, glass-like material as excess water is evaporated. Using metal nitrates and glycine, the method has been demonstrated for zirconia with various levels of yttria stabilization, for lanthanum-strontium chromites, and for yttrium-barium-copper oxide superconductors on various substrates.