Abstract: Ether-based electrolytes for lithium metal batteries, lithium metal batteries, and methods of their use. Such an ether-based electrolyte includes a highly-nonpolar, nonfluorinated dipropyl ether (DPE) solvent that enhances the oxidation stability of a lithium metal battery. Such a lithium metal battery includes the ether-based electrolyte electrochemically coupling an anode and cathode of the battery.

Abstract: A method of measuring temperature of a battery having an internally disposed thermal protection arrangement is disclosed which includes providing at least one sensor holder having an electrode side and a housing side disposed within a housing, with at least one cavity provided on the electrode side, providing at least one temperature sensor placed in the at least one cavity of the at least one sensor holder, the outer surface of the at least one temperature sensor being flush with the remaining surface of the at least one sensor holder, attaching the at least one sensor holder to one of a first electrode or a second electrode of the battery, coupling the at least one temperature sensor to a header, and measuring the temperature of the battery.

Abstract: A battery having a thermal protection arrangement is disclosed which includes a housing, a first electrode, a second electrode, a polymer porous separator positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, an electrolyte interspersed between the first electrode, the second electrode, and the polymer porous separator, at least one sensor holder having an electrode side and a housing side, with at least one cavity provided on the electrode side, the at least one sensor holder in firm contact with the first electrode or the second electrode, and at least one temperature sensor placed in the at least one cavity of the at least one sensor holder, the at least one cavity sized such that the outer surface of the temperature sensor being flush with remaining surface of the at least one sensor holder, and wherein the at least one temperature sensor has no contact with the polymer porous separator.

Abstract: Composite solid polymer electrolytes (SPE), organic cathode electrodes, and solid-state lithium batteries (SLBs) that incorporate the SPE and/or the organic cathode electrodes. The composite solid polymer electrolytes include a hybrid polymer matrix, an LiTFSI salt dispersed in the matrix polymer matrix, and an LLZTO ceramic filler dispersed in the matrix polymer matrix. The organic cathode electrodes contain perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA).

Abstract: A battery having a thermal protection arrangement is disclosed which includes a housing, a first electrode, a second electrode, a polymer porous separator positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode, an electrolyte interspersed between the first electrode, the second electrode, and the polymer porous separator, at least one sensor holder having an electrode side and a housing side, with at least one cavity provided on the electrode side, the at least one sensor holder in firm contact with the first electrode or the second electrode, and at least one temperature sensor placed in the at least one cavity of the at least one sensor holder, the at least one cavity sized such that the outer surface of the temperature sensor being flush with remaining surface of the at least one sensor holder, and wherein the at least one temperature sensor has no contact with the polymer porous separator.

Abstract: A process of preparing an E-carbon nanocomposite includes contacting a porous carbon substrate with an E-containing material to form a mixture; and sonicating the mixture to form the E-carbon nanocomposite; where E is S, Se, SexSy, or Te, x is greater than 0; and y is greater than 0.

Abstract: Nickel-containing carbon nanofiber (NiCNF) materials and lubricants comprising the nanofiber materials are described herein. The NiCNF materials comprise a plurality of elongate nickel-containing carbon nanofibers. Each NiCNF comprises a carbon nanofiber shaft that is capped at one end by a nickel nanoparticle encapsulated in multiple layers of graphitic carbon. The nanofibers typically have a generally circular cross-section (i.e., in the direction perpendicular to the length-axis of the fibers). The NiCNF materials as useful, e.g., in lubricant compositions, which also are described herein.

Abstract: This invention relates to carbon-based materials as anti-friction and anti-wear additives for advanced lubrication purposes. The materials comprise carbon nanotubes suspended in a liquid hydrocarbon carrier. Optionally, the compositions further comprise a surfactant (e.g., to aid in dispersion of the carbon particles). Specifically, the novel lubricants have the ability to significantly lower friction and wear, which translates into improved fuel economies and longer durability of mechanical devices and engines.

Abstract: In one preferred embodiment, a photocatalyst for conversion of carbon dioxide and water to a hydrocarbon and oxygen comprises at least one nanoparticulate metal or metal oxide material that is substantially free of a carbon coating, prepared by heating a metal-containing precursor compound in a sealed reactor under a pressure autogenically generated by dissociation of the precursor material in the sealed reactor at a temperature of at least about 600° C. to form a nanoparticulate carbon-coated metal or metal oxide material, and subsequently substantially removing the carbon coating. The precursor material comprises a solid, solvent-free salt comprising a metal ion and at least one thermally decomposable carbon- and oxygen-containing counter-ion, and the metal of the salt is selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ti, Sn, V, Fe, Zn, Zr, Mo, Nb, W, Eu, La, Ce, In, and Si.

Abstract: Nickel-containing carbon nanofiber (NiCNF) materials and lubricants comprising the nanofiber materials are described herein. The NiCNF materials comprise a plurality of elongate nickel-containing carbon nanofibers. Each NiCNF comprises a carbon nanofiber shaft that is capped at one end by a nickel nanoparticle encapsulated in multiple layers of graphitic carbon. The nanofibers typically have a generally circular cross-section (i.e., in the direction perpendicular to the length-axis of the fibers). The NiCNF materials as useful, e.g., in lubricant compositions, which also are described herein.

Abstract: This invention relates to carbon-based materials as anti-friction and anti-wear additives for advanced lubrication purposes. The materials comprise carbon nanotubes suspended in a liquid hydrocarbon carrier. Optionally, the compositions further comprise a surfactant (e.g., to aid in dispersion of the carbon particles). Specifically, the novel lubricants have the ability to significantly lower friction and wear, which translates into improved fuel economies and longer durability of mechanical devices and engines.

Abstract: This invention relates to carbon-based materials as anti-friction and anti-wear additives for advanced lubrication purposes. The materials have various shapes, sizes, and structures and are synthesized by autogenic reactions under extreme conditions of high temperature and pressure. The lubricant compositions comprise carbon-based particles suspended in a liquid hydrocarbon carrier. Optionally, the compositions further comprise a surfactant (e.g., to aid in dispersion of the carbon particles). Specifically, the novel lubricants have the ability to significantly lower friction and wear, which translates into improved fuel economies and longer durability of mechanical devices and engines.

Abstract: A process of preparing an E-carbon nanocomposite includes contacting a porous carbon substrate with an E-containing material to form a mixture; and sonicating the mixture to form the E-carbon nanocomposite; where E is S, Se, SexSy, or Te, x is greater than 0; and y is greater than 0.

Abstract: A single step process for degrading plastic waste by converting the plastic waste into carbonaceous products via thermal decomposition of the plastic waste by placing the plastic waste into a reactor, heating the plastic waste under an inert or air atmosphere until the temperature of about 700° C. is achieved, allowing the reactor to cool down, and recovering the resulting decomposition products therefrom. The decomposition products that this process yields are carbonaceous materials, and more specifically carbon nanotubes having a partially filled core (encapsulated) adjacent to one end of the nanotube. Additionally, in the presence of a transition metal compound, this thermal decomposition process produces multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A lithium- or lithium-ion electrochemical cell of the present invention comprises a lithium-containing cathode, an anode, and a non-aqueous lithium-containing electrolyte therebetween; wherein one or more of the anode and the cathode comprises at least one particulate carbon-containing material selected from the group consisting of one or more carbon-coated metal oxide or metal phosphate particles, carbon-containing metals that alloy with Li, carbon-containing metalloids that alloy with Li, or rounded carbon particles such as carbon spheres, prolate-shaped spheroids, oblate-shaped spheroids, and carbon nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, the particulate carbon material is prepared by reacting one or more solid, solvent-free chemical precursor materials comprising the elements making up the material in an enclosed autogenic pressure reactor in which the precursor materials are dissociated and reacted at elevated temperature, thereby creating self-generated pressure within the reactor.

Abstract: In one preferred embodiment, a photocatalyst for conversion of carbon dioxide and water to a hydrocarbon and oxygen comprises at least one nanoparticulate metal or metal oxide material that is substantially free of a carbon coating, prepared by heating a metal-containing precursor compound in a sealed reactor under a pressure autogenically generated by dissociation of the precursor material in the sealed reactor at a temperature of at least about 600° C. to form a nanoparticulate carbon-coated metal or metal oxide material, and subsequently substantially removing the carbon coating. The precursor material comprises a solid, solvent-free salt comprising a metal ion and at least one thermally decomposable carbon- and oxygen-containing counter-ion, and the metal of the salt is selected from the group consisting of Mn, Ti, Sn, V, Fe, Zn, Zr, Mo, Nb, W, Eu, La, Ce, In, and Si.

Abstract: This invention relates to carbon-based materials as anti-friction and anti-wear additives for advanced lubrication purposes. The materials have various shapes, sizes, and structures and are synthesized by autogenic reactions under extreme conditions of high temperature and pressure. The lubricant compositions comprise carbon-based particles suspended in a liquid hydrocarbon carrier. Optionally, the compositions further comprise a surfactant (e.g., to aid in dispersion of the carbon particles). Specifically, the novel lubricants have the ability to significantly lower friction and wear, which translates into improved fuel economies and longer durability of mechanical devices and engines.

Abstract: A single step process for degrading plastic waste by converting the plastic waste into carbonaceous products via thermal decomposition of the plastic waste by placing the plastic waste into a reactor, heating the plastic waste under an inert or air atmosphere until the temperature of about 700° C. is achieved, allowing the reactor to cool down, and recovering the resulting decomposition products therefrom. The decomposition products that this process yields are carbonaceous materials, and more specifically carbon nanotubes having a partially filled core (encapsulated) adjacent to one end of the nanotube. Additionally, in the presence of a transition metal compound, this thermal decomposition process produces multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A single step process for degrading plastic waste by converting the plastic waste into carbonaceous products via thermal decomposition of the plastic waste by placing the plastic waste into a reactor, heating the plastic waste under an inert or air atmosphere until the temperature of 700° C. is achieved, allowing the reactor to cool down, and recovering the resulting decomposition products therefrom. The decomposition products that this process yields are carbonaceous materials, and more specifically egg-shaped and spherical-shaped solid carbons. Additionally, in the presence of a transition metal compound, this thermal decomposition process produces multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A lithium-oxygen electrochemical cell of the invention comprises a lithium-containing anode, an oxygen-permeable cathode, a non-aqueous electrolyte comprising a lithium salt in a non-aqueous liquid between the anode and the cathode, and a source of gaseous oxygen in fluid communication with the cathode; the cathode comprising an oxygen-permeable support bearing carbon nanotubes having at least one open end. In some embodiments, the cell is rechargeable and the cathode includes a nanoparticulate catalyst in contact with the carbon nanotubes; wherein the catalyst is adapted to facilitate the reversible interconversion between oxygen gas and an oxygen anion e.g., oxide ion, peroxide ion, or a combination thereof, during charge and discharge of the cell.