Abstract: A lithium-based battery separator includes a porous polymer membrane having opposed surfaces. A porous carbon coating is formed on one of the opposed surfaces of the porous polymer membrane. Polycations are incorporated in the porous carbon coating, in the porous polymer membrane, or in both the porous carbon coating and the porous polymer membrane.

Abstract: A porous interlayer for a lithium-sulfur battery includes an electronic component and a negatively charged or chargeable lithium ion conducting component. The electronic component is selected from a carbon material, a conductive polymeric material, and combinations thereof. In an example, the porous interlayer may be disposed between a sulfur-based positive electrode and a porous polymer separator in a lithium-sulfur battery. In another example, the porous interlayer may be formed on a surface of a porous polymer separator.

Abstract: Spherical particles of one or more elemental metals and elemental carbon are prepared from a precursor in the form of a metal oleate. The metal oleate precursor is dispersed in a liquid vehicle and aerosol droplets of the dispersed precursor are formed in a stream of an inert gas. The aerosol droplets are heated in the stream to decompose the oleate ligand portion of the precursor and form spherical particles that have a mesoporous nanocrystalline structure. The open mesopores of the spherical particles provide a high surface area for contact with fluids in many applications. For example, the mesopores can be infiltrated with a hydrogen absorbing material, such as magnesium hydride, in order to increase the hydrogen storage capacity of the particles.

Abstract: Spherical particles of one or more elemental metals and carbon are prepared from a precursor in the form of a metal oleate. The metal oleate precursor is dispersed in a liquid vehicle and aerosol droplets of the dispersed precursor are formed in a stream of an inert gas. The aerosol droplets are heated in the stream to decompose the oleate ligand portion of the precursor and form spherical particles that have a mesoporous nanocrystalline structure. The open mesopores of the spherical particles provide a high surface area for contact with fluids in many applications. For example, the mesopores can be infiltrated with a hydrogen absorbing material, such as magnesium hydride, in order to increase the hydrogen storage capacity of the particles.

Abstract: Anodes including mesoporous hollow silicon particles are disclosed herein. A method for synthesizing the mesoporous hollow silicon particles is also disclosed herein. In one example of the method, a silicon dioxide sphere having a silicon dioxide solid core and a silicon dioxide mesoporous shell is formed. The silicon dioxide mesoporous shell is converted to a silicon mesoporous shell using magnesium vapor. The silicon dioxide solid core, any residual silicon dioxide, and any magnesium-containing by-products are removed to form the mesoporous, hollow silicon particle.

Abstract: A surface coating method and a method for reducing irreversible capacity loss of a lithium rich transitional oxide electrode are disclosed herein. In an example of the surface coating method, a dispersion of a lithium rich transitional oxide powder and an oxide precursor or a phosphate precursor in a liquid is formed. The liquid is evaporated. The forming and evaporating steps are carried out in the absence of air to prevent precipitation of the oxide precursor or the phosphate precursor. Hydrolyzation of the oxide precursor or the phosphate precursor is controlled under predetermined conditions, and an intermediate product is formed. The intermediate product is annealed to form an oxide coated lithium rich transitional oxide powder or the phosphate coated lithium rich transitional oxide powder.

Abstract: Hollow, porous, spherical metal-carbon composite particles, having nanostructures, are prepared from suitable precursor solutions containing metal-organic ligand coordination complexes with template. Such precursors may be made for each elemental metal to be in the spherical particles. The precursor solution is atomized as an aerosol in an inert gas stream and the aerosol stream heated to decompose the organic ligand portion of the precursor leaving the spherical metal-carbon composite or metal alloy-carbon composite particles. The organic ligand serves as a structure directing agent in the shaping of the spherical particles after the ligand has been removed. Other materials may also be used as permanent or removed templates. The morphology of the particles may be altered for an application by varying the preparation and composition of the metal precursor material, and the optional use of a template.

Abstract: An example of a lithium ion battery electrode material includes a substrate, and a substantially graphitic carbon layer completely encapsulating the substrate. The substantially graphitic carbon layer is free of voids. Methods for making electrode materials are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Spherical particles of one or more elemental metals and carbon are prepared from a precursor in the form of a metal oleate. The metal oleate precursor is dispersed in a liquid vehicle and aerosol droplets of the dispersed precursor are formed in a stream of an inert gas. The aerosol droplets are heated in the stream to decompose the oleate ligand portion of the precursor and form spherical particles that have a mesoporous nanocrystalline structure. The open mesopores of the spherical particles provide a high surface area for contact with fluids in many applications. For example, the mesopores can be infiltrated with a hydrogen absorbing material, such as magnesium hydride, in order to increase the hydrogen storage capacity of the particles.

Abstract: Hollow, porous, spherical metal-carbon composite particles, having nanostructures, are prepared from suitable precursor solutions containing metal-organic ligand coordination complexes with template. Such precursors may be made for each elemental metal to be in the spherical particles. The precursor solution is atomized as an aerosol in an inert gas stream and the aerosol stream heated to decompose the organic ligand portion of the precursor leaving the spherical metal-carbon composite or metal alloy-carbon composite particles. The organic ligand serves as a structure directing agent in the shaping of the spherical particles after the ligand has been removed. Other materials may also be used as permanent or removed templates. The morphology of the particles may be altered for an application by varying the preparation and composition of the metal precursor material, and the optional use of a template.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material comprises core-shell particles having a core formed from a core material and a shell formed from a shell material. In representative examples, the shell material is a material showing an appreciable thermoelectric effect in bulk. The core material preferably has a lower thermal conductivity than the shell material. In representative examples, the core material is an inorganic oxide such as silica or alumina, and the shell material is a chalcogenide semiconductor such as a telluride, for example bismuth telluride. A thermoelectric material including such core-shell particles may have an improved thermoelectric figure of merit compared with a bulk sample of the shell material alone. Embodiments of the invention further include thermoelectric devices using such thermoelectric materials, and preparation techniques.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing a metal telluride is provided that includes the dissolution of a metal precursor in a solvent containing a ligand to form a metal-ligand complex soluble in the solvent. The metal-ligand complex is then reacted with a telluride-containing reagent to form metal telluride domains having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers. NaHTe represents a well-suited telluride reagent. A composition is provided that includes a plurality of metal telluride crystalline domains (PbTe)1-x-y(SnTe)x(Bi2Te3)y??(I) having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers inclusive where x is between 0 and 1 inclusive and y is between 0 and 1 inclusive with the proviso that x+y is less than or equal to 1. Each of the metal telluride crystalline domains has a surface passivated with a saccharide moiety or a polydentate carboxylate.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing a metal telluride is provided that includes the dissolution of a metal precursor in a solvent containing a ligand to form a metal-ligand complex soluble in the solvent. The metal-ligand complex is then reacted with a telluride-containing reagent to form metal telluride domains having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers. NaHTe represents a well-suited telluride reagent. A composition is provided that includes a plurality of metal telluride crystalline domains (PbTe)1-x-y(SnTe)x(Bi2Te3)y ??(I) having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers inclusive where x is between 0 and 1 inclusive and y is between 0 and 1 inclusive with the proviso that x+y is less than or equal to 1. Each of the metal telluride crystalline domains has a surface passivated with a saccharide moiety or a polydentate carboxylate.

Abstract: A thermoelectric material comprises core-shell particles having a core formed from a core material and a shell formed from a shell material. In representative examples, the shell material is a material showing an appreciable thermoelectric effect in bulk. The core material preferably has a lower thermal conductivity than the shell material. In representative examples, the core material is an inorganic oxide such as silica or alumina, and the shell material is a chalcogenide semiconductor such as a telluride, for example bismuth telluride. A thermoelectric material including such core-shell particles may have an improved thermoelectric figure of merit compared with a bulk sample of the shell material alone. Embodiments of the invention further include thermoelectric devices using such thermoelectric materials, and preparation techniques.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing a metal telluride is provided that includes the dissolution of a metal precursor in a solvent containing a ligand to form a metal-ligand complex soluble in the solvent. The metal-ligand complex is then reacted with a telluride-containing reagent to form metal telluride domains having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers. NaHTe represents a well-suited telluride reagent. A composition is provided that includes a plurality of metal telluride crystalline domains (PbTe)1-x-y(SnTe)x(Bi2Te3)y ??(I) having a mean linear dimension of from 2 to 40 nanometers inclusive where x is between 0 and 1 inclusive and y is between 0 and 1 inclusive with the proviso that x+y is less than or equal to 1. Each of the metal telluride crystalline domains has a surface passivated with a saccharide moiety or a polydentate carboxylate.