Abstract: A carbon nanofiber can have a surface and include at least one crystalline whisker extending from the surface of the carbon nanofiber. A battery anode composition can be formed from a plurality of carbon nanofibers each including a plurality of crystalline whiskers.

Abstract: A carbon nanofiber can have a surface and include at least one crystalline whisker extending from the surface of the carbon nanofiber. A battery anode composition can be formed from a plurality of carbon nanofibers each including a plurality of crystalline whiskers.

Abstract: A battery device includes a cathode current collector and an anode current collector. A fibrous electrode forms a structure defining a plurality of pores. A first portion of the fibrous electrode is in contact with a current collector. An electrolytic polymer is electrodeposited on the fibrous electrode to provide substantial uniform coverage of fibers forming the fibrous electrode. A plurality of electrode particles are disposed within the plurality of pores and separated from the fibrous electrode by the electrolytic polymer.

Abstract: A battery device includes a cathode current collector and an anode current collector. A fibrous electrode forms a structure defining a plurality of pores. A first portion of the fibrous electrode is in contact with a current collector. An electrolytic polymer is electrodeposited on the fibrous electrode to provide substantial uniform coverage of fibers forming the fibrous electrode. A plurality of electrode particles are disposed within the plurality of pores and separated from the fibrous electrode by the electrolytic polymer.

Abstract: A polymer is directed from a source electrode into an electric field that drives the formation of electrospun fibers that are deposited onto a collecting surface to thereby form a patterned polymer structure. The collecting surface can be a counterelectrode or a collecting surface that is between the source electrode and a counterelectrode. Apparatus employed to conduct the method include an electrospinning source that directs polymer into an electric field formed by source and counterelectrodes. A collecting surface, such as the counterelectrode or a surface interposed between the source and counterelectrodes, collects electrospun fibers. Articles of manufacture formed by the method of apparatus include, for example, a structure of patterned electrospun fibers comprising multiple aggregations of polymeric electrospun fibers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the production of nanostructures, e.g., single wall carbon nanotubes (“SWNT”) and/or multi-wall carbon nanotubes (“MWNT”), from solutions containing a polymer, such as polyacrylonitrile (PAN). In particular, the invention is directed to the production of nanostructures, for example, SWNT and/or MWNT, from mixtures, e.g., solutions, containing polyacrylonitrile, polyaniline emeraldine base (PANi) or a salt thereof, an iron salt, e.g., iron chloride, and a solvent. In one embodiment, a mixture containing polyacrylonitrile, polyaniline emeraldine base or a salt thereof, an iron salt, e.g., iron chloride, and a solvent is formed and the mixture is electrospun to form nanofibers. In another embodiment, the electrospun nanofibers are then oxidized, e.g., heated in air, and subsequently pyrolyzed to form carbon nanostructures.