Abstract: Each of: (1) a nanoparticle comprising a substantially single crystalline mesoporous Co3O4 material; (2) a battery electrode comprising a plurality of nanoparticles comprising the substantially single crystalline mesoporous Co3O4 material; (3) a battery comprising the battery electrode comprising the plurality of nanoparticles comprising the substantially single crystalline mesoporous Co3O4 material; and (4) a plurality of methods for preparing the nanoparticle comprising the substantially single crystalline mesoporous Co3O4 material, may be employed within the context of a lithium containing battery, such as a lithium ion battery. When the substantially single crystalline mesoporous Co3O4 material has a pore size of about 3 to about 8 nanometers enhanced lithium containing battery electrical performance properties are observed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nano structures of metal oxides having a nanostructured shell (or wall), and an internal space or void. Nanostructures may be nanoparticles, nanorod/belts/arrays, nanotubes, nanodisks, nanoboxes, hollow nanospheres, and mesoporous structures, among other nanostructures. The nanostructures are composed of polycrystalline metal, oxides such as SnO2. The nanostructures may have concentric walls which surround the internal space of cavity. There may be two or more concentric shells or walls. The internal space may contain a core such ferric oxides or other materials which have functional properties. The invention also provides for a novel, inexpensive, high-yield method for mass production of hollow metal oxide nanostructures. The method may be template free or contain a template such as silica. The nanostructures prepared by the methods of the invention provide for improved cycling performance when tested using rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Abstract: Nano-colloids of near monodisperse, carbon-coated SnO2 nano-colloids. There are also carbon-coated SnO2 nanoparticles. There are also SnO2/carbon composite hollow spheres as well as an anode of a Li-ion battery having the nano-colloids. There is also a method for synthesizing SnO2 nano-colloids. There are also coaxial SnO2@carbon hollow nanospheres, a method for making coaxial SnO2@carbon hollow nanospheres and an anode of a Li-ion battery formed from the coaxial SnO2@carbon hollow nanospheres.

Abstract: An aluminum ion battery includes an aluminum anode, a vanadium oxide material cathode and an ionic liquid electrolyte. In particular, the vanadium oxide material cathode comprises a monocrystalline orthorhombic vanadium oxide material. The aluminum ion battery has an enhanced electrical storage capacity. A metal sulfide material may alternatively or additionally be included in the cathode.

Abstract: Hybrid materials and nanocomposite materials, methods of making and using such materials. The nanoparticles of the nanocomposite are formed in situ during pyrolysis of a hybrid material comprising metal precursor compounds. The nanoparticles are uniformly distributed in the carbon matrix of the nanocomposite. The nanocomposite materials can be used in devices such as, for example, electrodes and on-chip inductors.

Abstract: A shape memory polymer material composition comprises: (1) a plurality of inorganic core nanoparticles as netpoints to which is connected; (2) a switching segment that comprises a polymer network. The polymer network comprises: (1) a corona component bonded to each inorganic core nanoparticle through a first chemical linkage; (2) a canopy component bonded to each corona component through a second chemical linkage; and (3) a plurality of cross-linking components cross-linking between different canopy components through a third chemical linkage. Given various selections for the inorganic core nanoparticles, the corona component, the canopy component, the cross-linking component, the first chemical linkage, the second chemical linkage and the third chemical linkage, various performance and composition characteristics of the shape memory polymer material compositions may be readily tailored.

Abstract: A method for preparing an ionic liquid nanoscale ionic material, the ionic liquid nanoscale ionic material and a battery that includes a battery electrolyte that comprises the ionic liquid nanoscale ionic material each provide superior performance. The superior performance may be manifested within the context of inhibited lithium dendrite formation.

Abstract: Sulfur containing nanoparticles that may be used within cathode electrodes within lithium ion batteries include in a first instance porous carbon shape materials (i.e., either nanoparticle shapes or “bulk” shapes that are subsequently ground to nanoparticle shapes) that are infused with a sulfur material. A synthetic route to these carbon and sulfur containing nanoparticles may use a template nanoparticle to form a hollow carbon shape shell, and subsequent dissolution of the template nanoparticle prior to infusion of the hollow carbon shape shell with a sulfur material. Sulfur infusion into other porous carbon shapes that are not hollow is also contemplated. A second type of sulfur containing nanoparticle includes a metal oxide material core upon which is located a shell layer that includes a vulcanized polymultiene polymer material and ion conducting polymer material. The foregoing sulfur containing nanoparticle materials provide the electrodes and lithium ion batteries with enhanced performance.

Abstract: A nanoparticle organic hybrid material (NOHM) containing an organic polymeric corona having a molecular weight in a range of 100-50,000 g/mol, wherein the organic polymeric corona is covalently attached to an inorganic nanoparticle core, wherein the NOHM exhibits liquid-like properties so that the NOHM moves freely and flows in a manner so that when the NOHM is in a container, the NOHM takes the shape of the container, and wherein the NOHM has a volume fraction (fc) of the inorganic particle ranging from about 0.05 to 0.75, methods of making the NOHMs, and compositions containing the NOHMs.

Abstract: Nano-colloids of near monodisperse, carbon-coated SnO2 nano-colloids. There are also carbon-coated SnO2 nanoparticles. There are also SnO2/carbon composite hollow spheres as well as an anode of a Li-ion battery having the nano-colloids. There is also a method for synthesizing SnO2 nano-colloids. There are also coaxial SnO2@carbon hollow nanospheres, a method for making coaxial SnO2@carbon hollow nanospheres and an anode of a Li— ion battery formed from the coaxial SnO2@-carbon hollow nanospheres.

Abstract: Each of: (1) a nanoparticle comprising a substantially single crystalline mesoporous Co3O4 material; (2) a battery electrode comprising a plurality of nanoparticles comprising the substantially single crystalline mesoporous Co3O4 material; (3) a battery comprising the battery electrode comprising the plurality of nanoparticles comprising the substantially single crystalline mesoporous Co3O4 material; and (4) a plurality of methods for preparing the nanoparticle comprising the substantially single crystalline mesoporous Co3O4 material, may be employed within the context of a lithium containing battery, such as a lithium ion battery. When the substantially single crystalline mesoporous Co3O4 material has a pore size of about 3 to about 8 nanometers enhanced lithium containing battery electrical performance properties are observed.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a selected surface property and attribute in a host polymer or a blend of a host polymer with other polymers by blending the host polymer or polymer blend with from 0.1 to 10% by weight of a low molecular weight molecule additive (“additive”) chemically identical to the host polymer except for having one or more cores. The cores are chemically bonded to and provide anchor points for the branches which have optionally functionalized end groups. The optionally functionalized end groups, chemistry of the core, and/or physical form of the core impart properties to the surface of the host polymer or polymer blend. The invention also relates to a surface-modified polymer or polymer blend produced by the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nano structures of metal oxides having a nanostructured shell (or wall), and an internal space or void. Nanostructures may be nanoparticles, nanorod/belts/arrays, nanotubes, nanodisks, nanoboxes, hollow nanospheres, and mesoporous structures, among other nanostructures. The nanostructures are composed of polycrystalline metal oxides such as SnO2. The nanostructures may have concentric walls which surround the internal space of cavity. There may be two or more concentric shells or walls. The internal space may contain a core such ferric oxides or other materials which have functional properties. The invention also provides for a novel, inexpensive, high-yield method for mass production of hollow metal oxide nanostructures. The method may be template free or contain a template such as silica. The nanostructures prepared by the methods of the invention provide for improved cycling performance when tested using rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.