Abstract: Methods of producing functionalized carbon nanosheets capable of use as electrode materials in electrochemical energy storage cells, electrodes and electrode materials formed thereby, and electrochemical energy storage cells of sodium-ion batteries that utilize such electrodes and electrode materials. Such a method of producing functionalized carbon nanosheets includes preparing a solution containing dissolved glucose, mixing a quantity of NaCl crystals with the solution to form a mixture, drying the mixture to form a gel comprising NaCl crystals each having a layer of glucose thereon, heating the gel in an inert atmosphere to a processing temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause carbonization of the glucose and in situ functionalization with oxygen-containing functional groups, and removing the NaCl crystals to yield the functionalized carbon nanosheets.

Abstract: Methods of producing functionalized carbon nanosheets capable of use as electrode materials in electrochemical energy storage cells, electrodes and electrode materials formed thereby, and electrochemical energy storage cells of sodium-ion batteries that utilize such electrodes and electrode materials. Such a method of producing functionalized carbon nanosheets includes preparing a solution containing dissolved glucose, mixing a quantity of NaCl crystals with the solution to form a mixture, drying the mixture to form a gel comprising NaCl crystals each having a layer of glucose thereon, heating the gel in an inert atmosphere to a processing temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause carbonization of the glucose and in situ functionalization with oxygen-containing functional groups, and removing the NaCl crystals to yield the functionalized carbon nanosheets.

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: Methods of producing functionalized carbon nanosheets capable of use as electrode materials in electrochemical energy storage cells, electrodes and electrode materials formed thereby, and electrochemical energy storage cells of sodium-ion batteries that utilize such electrodes and electrode materials. Such a method of producing functionalized carbon nanosheets includes preparing a solution containing dissolved glucose, mixing a quantity of NaCl crystals with the solution to form a mixture, drying the mixture to form a gel comprising NaCl crystals each having a layer of glucose thereon, heating the gel in an inert atmosphere to a processing temperature and for a duration sufficient to cause carbonization of the glucose and in situ functionalization with oxygen-containing functional groups, and removing the NaCl crystals to yield the functionalized carbon nanosheets.

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 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.

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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A visible light activatable mesoporous titanium dioxide photocatalyst having a surface area of from 100 m2/g to 400 m2/g. The photocatalyst may have a rate of decomposition greater than 0.005 min?1. The photocatalyst may have a band gap width less than 2.95 eV. The photocatalyst may comprise undoped titanium dioxide or doped titanium dioxide. A hydrothermal process for synthesising a photocatalyst is also described.

Abstract: A visible light activatable mesoporous titanium dioxide photocatalyst having a surface area of from 100 m2/g to 400 m2/g. The photocatalyst may have a rate of decomposition greater than 0.005 min?1. The photocatalyst may have a band gap width less than 2.95 eV. The photocatalyst may comprise undoped titanium dioxide or doped titanium dioxide. A hydrothermal process for synthesising a photocatalyst is also described.