Abstract: A method of producing a sulfonated polymer. The method includes providing a source for a quantity of a polymer having a shape. The quantity of the polymer is heated while immersed in sulfuric acid to 100-200° C. for a period time in a closed reactor containing an atmosphere and capable of holding pressure generated by a reaction between the quantity of the polymer and the sulfuric acid resulting in a sulfonated polymer, wherein substantially all the quantity of the polymer from the source is converted into sulfonated polymer. The sulfonated polymer is then removed from the reactor and dried. An electrode suitable for use as an electrode in an electrochemical energy storage cell is disclosed. The electrode contains amorphous porous carbon sheets made from a sulfonated polymer with a morphology wherein the amorphous porous carbon sheets have the morphology of the sulfonated polymer from which they are made.

Abstract: A solid-state lubricant composition is disclosed. The solid-lubricant contains graphene, an oxide of a metal, and one or more polymeric binders. A method of making a solid-state lubricant coating on various substrates is disclosed. The method includes the steps of making a homogeneous slurry comprising powder of an oxide of a metal, graphene, and a polymeric binder with organic volatile solvent; coating a substrate with the homogeneous slurry with desired thicknesses; and drying the slurry on the substrate naturally or applying additional heat, resulting in a solid lubricant coating on the substrate. Substrates with coated solid composite lubricant show wear reduction and lower coefficient of friction compared with uncoated substrates.

Abstract: Separators, materials, and processes for producing electrochemical cells, for example, lithium (Li) metal batteries, and electrochemical cells produced therefrom. Such a separator includes a permeable membrane formed of a first polymer that is hydrophobic and has oppositely-disposed first and second surfaces, a second polymer that is hydrophilic and is incorporated into the first surface of the first polymer so that the first surface of the first polymer is a hydrophilic surface, and a conductive composite layer on the hydrophilic surface. The composite layer contains at least one layer of a carbonaceous material and an aqueous binder that binds the carbonaceous material together and to the hydrophilic.

Abstract: Method of making interconnected layered porous carbon sheets with porosity within the carbon sheets and in-between the carbon sheets for use as an electrode. Method of making a metal-nanoparticle carbon composite, wherein metal particles are surrounded by shells made of amorphous carbon. Electrodes containing an amorphous carbon structure comprising a plurality of interconnected layered porous carbon sheets. Electrodes containing graphitic carbon structure with a surface area in the range of 5-200 m2/g. Electrodes containing a metal-nanoparticle carbon composite comprising metal core-carbon shell like architecture and an amorphous structure, wherein metal particles are surrounded by shells made of amorphous carbon.

Abstract: Method of making interconnected layered porous carbon sheets with porosity within the carbon sheets and in-between the carbon sheets for use as an electrode. Method of making a metal-nanoparticle carbon composite, wherein metal particles are surrounded by shells made of amorphous carbon. Electrodes containing an amorphous carbon structure comprising a plurality of interconnected layered porous carbon sheets. Electrodes containing graphitic carbon structure with a surface area in the range of 5-200 m2/g. Electrodes containing a metal-nanoparticle carbon composite comprising metal core-carbon shell like architecture and an amorphous structure, wherein metal particles are surrounded by shells made of amorphous carbon.

Abstract: A method of producing metallic sodium powders. The method includes immersing one or more solid pieces of sodium metal in an organic liquid containing a hydrocarbon oil. The solid piece (s) of sodium metal immersed in the hydrocarbon oil is (are) then subjected to ultrasonic irradiation, wherein the solid piece of sodium metal is fragmented to form sodium powder, resulting in a dispersion of the sodium powder in the organic liquid. The dispersed sodium powder is then separated from the organic liquid, resulting in metallic sodium powder. A method of presodiation of an anode in an electrochemical cell. The method includes adding sodium metal powders to the surface of the anode either as a dry powder or as a suspension of the sodium particles in an organic liquid. An anode in an electrochemical cell containing metallic sodium particles. An electrochemical cell comprising a presodiated anode.

Abstract: A metal-ion deposition regulator to regulate the flux and deposition of metal ions in an electrochemical cell. The regulator containing two membranes made of a polymer and a plurality of two-dimensional porous nanosheets sandwiched between the two membranes. The regulator is capable of distributing flux of metal ions passing through the metal-ion deposition regulator and regulating the deposition of the metal ions onto the cathode or anode thereby suppressing dendrite growth in the electrochemical cell. An electrochemical cell containing an anode, a cathode, a liquid electrolyte, and a metal-ion deposition regulator. A method of making a metal-ion deposition regulator. The method includes fabricating two-dimensional porous nanosheets utilizing graphene oxide as an expendable template, and sandwiching the porous nanosheets between two membranes made of a polymer such that the nanosheets are in contact with the two membranes.

Abstract: Method of making interconnected layered porous carbon sheets with porosity within the carbon sheets and in-between the carbon sheets for use as an electrode. Method of making a metal-nanoparticle carbon composite, wherein metal particles are surrounded by shells made of amorphous carbon. Electrodes containing an amorphous carbon structure comprising a plurality of interconnected layered porous carbon sheets. Electrodes containing graphitic carbon structure with a surface area in the range of 5-200 m2/g. Electrodes containing a metal-nanoparticle carbon composite comprising metal core-carbon shell like architecture and an amorphous structure, wherein metal particles are surrounded by shells made of amorphous carbon.

Abstract: An anode for use in lithium-ion battery. The anode contains silicon nanoparticles, a coating of carbon on the silicon nanoparticles, and a polymeric binder. A method of making an anode for use in lithium-ion battery. The method includes the steps of mixing the silicon nanoparticles with wheat flour to form a homogenized mixture of wheat flour and silicon nanoparticles, heating the homogenized mixture to form a silicon-carbon composite comprising a coating of carbon on the silicon nanoparticles which is then heated along with an additional quantity of wheat flour in an inert atmosphere resulting in an anode comprising silicon-carbon composite with a double coating on the silicon nanoparticles. The silicon-carbon composite is then mixed with a polymeric binder, resulting in an anode for use in a lithium battery. An electrochemical cell with an anode containing silicon nanoparticles, a coating of carbon on the silicon nanoparticles; and a polymeric binder.

Abstract: A solid-state lubricant composition is disclosed. The solid-lubricant contains graphene, an oxide of a metal, and one or more polymeric binders. A method of making a solid-state lubricant coating on various substrates is disclosed. The method includes the steps of making a homogeneous slurry comprising powder of an oxide of a metal, graphene, and a polymeric binder with organic volatile solvent; coating a substrate with the homogeneous slurry with desired thicknesses; and drying the slurry on the substrate naturally or applying additional heat, resulting in a solid lubricant coating on the substrate. Substrates with coated solid composite lubricant show wear reduction and lower coefficient of friction compared with uncoated substrates.

Abstract: Method of making interconnected layered porous carbon sheets with porosity within the carbon sheets and in-between the carbon sheets for use as an electrode. Method of making a metal-nanoparticle carbon composite, wherein metal particles are surrounded by shells made of amorphous carbon. Electrodes containing an amorphous carbon structure comprising a plurality of interconnected layered porous carbon sheets. Electrodes containing graphitic carbon structure with a surface area in the range of 5-200 m2/g. Electrodes containing a metal-nanoparticle carbon composite comprising metal core-carbon shell like architecture and an amorphous structure, wherein metal particles are surrounded by shells made of amorphous carbon.

Abstract: A method of making carbon sheets comprising nanosized metal particle. The method includes dissolving sodium chloride, a salt containing the metal, and glucose into water, maintaining weight ratio weight of sodium chloride to glucose in the range of 1-8, resulting in a homogeneous aqueous solution. The homogeneous aqueous solution is then dried to form a homogeneous powder which is then heated for a time period resulting in a composite comprising carbon sheets containing the sodium chloride and nanoparticles of the metal. The sodium chloride is removed resulting in carbon sheets containing nanoparticles of the metal. A carbon sheet with 2D morphology containing nanosized metal particles. An electrode comprising a carbon sheet with 2D morphology containing nanosized metal particles. An electrochemical storage cell containing an anode comprising a carbon sheet with 2D morphology containing nanosized metal particles.

Abstract: A lubricant includes carbon particles in a carrier. The carbon particles may be nearly spherical, individually have maximum and minimum diameters that differ by no more than ten nanometers, and the maximum diameters of the carbon particles are less than one micrometer. The lubricant may be manufactured by preparing the carbon particles by ultrasound-assisted polymerization of resorcinol and formaldehyde in an aqueous system followed by a heat treatment in an inert or non-oxidizing atmosphere and dispersion of the carbon particles in the liquid hydrocarbon carrier to form the lubricant. Optionally, inorganic metals, alloys, or oxides are coated on the surface of the carbon particles via an additional thermolysis step.