Abstract: A composite Si-carbon fiber comprising a carbon matrix material with 1-90 wt % silicon embedded therein. The composite carbon fibers are incorporated into electrodes for batteries. The battery can be a lithium ion battery. A method of making an electrode incorporating composite Si-carbon fibers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite Si-carbon fiber comprising a carbon matrix material with 1-90 wt % silicon embedded therein. The composite carbon fibers are incorporated into electrodes for batteries. The battery can be a lithium ion battery. A method of making an electrode incorporating composite Si-carbon fibers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite Si-carbon fiber comprising a carbon matrix material with 1-90 wt % silicon embedded therein. The composite carbon fibers are incorporated into electrodes for batteries. The battery can be a lithium ion battery. A method of making an electrode incorporating composite Si-carbon fibers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing a carbon fiber, the method comprising: (i) subjecting a continuous carbon fiber precursor having a polymeric matrix in which strength-enhancing particles are incorporated to a stabilization process during which the carbon fiber precursor is heated to within a temperature range ranging from the glass transition temperature to no less than 20° C. below the glass transition temperature of the polymeric matrix, wherein the maximum temperature employed in the stabilization process is below 400° C., for a processing time within said temperature range of at least 1 hour in the presence of oxygen and in the presence of a magnetic field of at least 1 Tesla, while said carbon fiber precursor is held under an applied axial tension; and (ii) subjecting the stabilized carbon fiber precursor, following step (i), to a carbonization process. The stabilized carbon fiber precursor, resulting carbon fiber, and articles made thereof are also described.

Abstract: A method for producing a carbon fiber, the method comprising: (i) subjecting a continuous carbon fiber precursor having a polymeric matrix in which strength-enhancing particles are incorporated to a stabilization process during which the carbon fiber precursor is heated to within a temperature range ranging from the glass transition temperature to no less than 20° C. below the glass transition temperature of the polymeric matrix, wherein the maximum temperature employed in the stabilization process is below 400° C., for a processing time within said temperature range of at least 1 hour in the presence of oxygen and in the presence of a magnetic field of at least 1 Tesla, while said carbon fiber precursor is held under an applied axial tension; and (ii) subjecting the stabilized carbon fiber precursor, following step (i), to a carbonization process. The stabilized carbon fiber precursor, resulting carbon fiber, and articles made thereof are also described.

Abstract: A method of making an anode includes the steps of providing fibers from a carbonaceous precursor, the carbon fibers having a glass transition temperature Tg. In one aspect the carbonaceous precursor is lignin. The carbonaceous fibers are placed into a layered fiber mat. The fiber mat is fused by heating the fiber mat in the presence of oxygen to above the Tg but no more than 20% above the Tg to fuse fibers together at fiber to fiber contact points and without melting the bulk fiber mat to create a fused fiber mat through oxidative stabilization. The fused fiber mat is carbonized by heating the fused fiber mat to at least 650° C. under an inert atmosphere to create a carbonized fused fiber mat. A battery anode formed from carbonaceous precursor fibers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A composite Si-carbon fiber comprising a carbon matrix material with 1-90 wt % silicon embedded therein. The composite carbon fibers are incorporated into electrodes for batteries. The battery can be a lithium ion battery. A method of making an electrode incorporating composite Si-carbon fibers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making an anode includes the steps of providing fibers from a carbonaceous precursor, the carbon fibers having a glass transition temperature Tg. In one aspect the carbonaceous precursor is lignin. The carbonaceous fibers are placed into a layered fiber mat. The fiber mat is fused by heating the fiber mat in the presence of oxygen to above the Tg but no more than 20% above the Tg to fuse fibers together at fiber to fiber contact points and without melting the bulk fiber mat to create a fused fiber mat through oxidative stabilization. The fused fiber mat is carbonized by heating the fused fiber mat to at least 650° C. under an inert atmosphere to create a carbonized fused fiber mat. A battery anode formed from carbonaceous precursor fibers is also disclosed.