Abstract: An electrochemical cell of a secondary lithium ion battery includes lithium ion-exchanged zeolite particles or “lithiated zeolite particles” positioned along at least a portion of a lithium ion transport path through the electrochemical cell. The lithiated zeolite particles may be positioned within the lithium ion transport path through the electrochemical cell, for example, by being distributed throughout an electrolyte disposed between confronting anterior surfaces of a negative electrode and a positive electrode. Additionally or alternatively, the lithiated zeolite particles may be positioned within the lithium ion transport path through the electrochemical cell by being distributed throughout or deposited as a coating layer on the negative electrode, the positive electrode, and/or a porous separator sandwiched between the confronting anterior surfaces of the negative and positive electrodes.

Abstract: In an example of a method for making a sulfur-based positive electrode active material, a carbon layer is formed on a sacrificial nanomaterial. The carbon layer is coated with titanium dioxide to form a titanium dioxide layer. The sacrificial nanomaterial is removed to form a hollow material including a hollow core surrounded by a carbon and titanium dioxide double shell. Sulfur is impregnated into the hollow core.

Abstract: In an example of the surface coating method, an aromatic resin or a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon is dissolved in an organic solvent to form a solution. A film precursor is formed on a surface of an electrode material by immersing the electrode material into the solution, and evaporating the organic solvent. The electrode material is selected from the group consisting of an electrode active material particle and a pre-formed electrode. The film precursor is exposed to i) a thermal treatment having a temperature equal to or less than 500° C., or ii) ultraviolet light irradiation, or iii) both i and ii, to carbonize the film precursor to form a carbon film on the surface of the electrode material. Also disclosed herein is a method for improving electrochemical performance of an electrode for a lithium based battery.

Abstract: A catalytic converter includes a catalyst. The catalyst includes a supporting oxide layer. The catalyst also includes platinum group metal (PGM) particles partially embedded in the supporting oxide layer such that a portion of each PGM particle is surrounded by the supporting oxide layer and an other portion of each PGM particle remains exposed.

Abstract: Methods of preparing a sinter-resistant catalyst include forming a dual coating system. A surface of a particulate catalyst support contacts a first liquid precursor including a metal salt with an element selected from the group consisting of: aluminum (Al), cerium (Ce), zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti), silicon (Si), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and combinations thereof. The first liquid precursor precipitates or is adsorbed as an ion on a portion of the surface forming a first coating including a porous metal oxide on the surface. The surface may be contacted with a second liquid precursor including a metal oxide sol including a metal selected from the group consisting of: aluminum (Al), cerium (Ce), zirconium (Zr), iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), silicon (Si), and combinations thereof. A second coating is formed from the second liquid precursor on a portion of the surface to create the sinter-resistant catalyst system.

Abstract: A catalytic converter includes a catalyst. The catalyst includes a metal oxide support and platinum group metal (PGM) complexes atomically dispersed on the metal oxide support. The PGM complexes include a PGM species selected from the group consisting of an atom of a platinum group metal, a cluster including from 2 atoms to less than 10 atoms of the platinum group metal, a nanoparticle including 10 or more atoms of the platinum group metal, and combinations thereof. An alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal is bonded to the PGM species. The alkali or alkaline earth metal is part of a structure including oxygen atoms and hydrogen atoms. A barrier is disposed between a first PGM complex and a second PGM complex.

Abstract: Catalysts that are resistant to high-temperature sintering and methods for preparing such catalysts that are resistant to sintering at high temperatures are provided. The catalyst may be prepared by contacting a solution comprising an ionic species with one or more charged surface regions of a catalyst support. A surface of the catalyst support further includes one or more catalyst particles disposed adjacent to the one or more charged surface regions. The ionic species has a first charge opposite to a second charge of the one or more charged surface regions. Next, the ionic species is associated with the one or more charged surface regions to form a layer on the one or more select surface regions. The layer is calcined to generate a coating comprising metal oxide on the one or more select surface regions, where the coating is formed adjacent to the one or more catalyst particles.

Abstract: Catalyst systems that are resistant to high-temperature sintering and methods for preparing such catalyst systems that are resistant to sintering at high temperatures are provided. Methods of forming such catalyst systems include contacting a support having a surface including a catalyst particle with a solution comprising a metal salt and having an acidic pH. The metal salt is precipitated onto the surface of the support. Next, the metal salt is calcined to selectively generate a porous coating of metal oxide on the surface of the support distributed around the catalyst particle.

Abstract: In an example of a method for making a sulfur-based positive electrode active material, a carbon layer is formed on a sacrificial nanomaterial. The carbon layer is coated with titanium dioxide to form a titanium dioxide layer. The sacrificial nanomaterial is removed to form a hollow material including a hollow core surrounded by a carbon and titanium dioxide double shell. Sulfur is impregnated into the hollow core.

Abstract: A catalytic converter includes a catalyst. The catalyst includes a metal oxide support and platinum group metal (PGM) complexes atomically dispersed on the metal oxide support. The PGM complexes include a PGM species selected from the group consisting of an atom of a platinum group metal, a cluster including from 2 atoms to less than 10 atoms of the platinum group metal, a nanoparticle including 10 or more atoms of the platinum group metal, and combinations thereof. An alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal is bonded to the PGM species. The alkali or alkaline earth metal is part of a structure including oxygen atoms and hydrogen atoms. A barrier is disposed between a first PGM complex and a second PGM complex.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrode for a lithium-based battery by electrophoretic deposition is provided. The method includes: mixing particles with graphene oxide and a binder in a solution, the particles including a material selected from silicon, silicon oxide, silicon alloys, tin, tin oxide, sulfur, lithium manganese oxide, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, lithium nickel manganese oxide, and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide. The method further includes applying a potential between a current collector and a counter electrode immersed in the solution to deposit a coating of a combination of the particles, at least partially reduced graphene oxide, and binder onto the current collector. The method still further includes drying the coated current collector.

Abstract: A catalytic converter includes a catalyst. The catalyst includes a support, platinum group metal (PGM) particles dispersed on the support, and metal oxide nanoparticles formed on the support. The metal oxide nanoparticles are dispersed between a first set of the PGM particles and a second set of the PGM particles to suppress aging of the PGM particles.

Abstract: In an example of a method for making an electrode active material, a sacrificial layer is formed on a nanomaterial. Carbon is coated on the sacrificial layer to form a carbon layer. Titanium dioxide is coated on the carbon layer to form a titanium dioxide layer. The sacrificial layer is removed to form a void between the nanomaterial and the carbon layer.

Abstract: A catalytic converter includes a catalyst. The catalyst includes a support, platinum group metal (PGM) particles dispersed on the support, and metal oxide nanoparticles formed on the support. The metal oxide nanoparticles are dispersed between a first set of the PGM particles and a second set of the PGM particles to suppress aging of the PGM particles.

Abstract: A catalytic converter includes a catalyst. The catalyst includes a support, platinum group metal (PGM) particles dispersed on the support, and a barrier formed on the support. The barrier is disposed between a first set of the PGM particles and a second set of the PGM particles to suppress aging of the PGM particles.

Abstract: An electroactive material for use in an electrochemical cell, like a lithium ion battery, is provided. The electroactive material comprises silicon or tin and undergoes substantial expansion during operation of a lithium ion battery. A polymeric ultrathin conformal coating is formed over a surface of the electroactive material. The coating is flexible and is capable of reversibly elongating by at least 250% from a contracted state to an expanded state in at least one direction to minimize or prevent fracturing of the negative electrode material during lithium ion cycling. The coating may be applied by vapor precursors reacting in atomic layer deposition (ALD) to form conformal ultrathin layers over the electroactive materials. Methods for making such materials and using such materials in electrochemical cells are likewise provided.

Abstract: One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate. One variation includes a method including using a reversible dry adhesive system to reversibly couple a first substrate to a second substrate during building or reconfiguring a product.

Abstract: In an example of the method disclosed herein, SiOx (0<x<2) particles are combined with a lithium metal. The SiOx (0<x<2) particles and the lithium metal are caused to react to form lithium oxide nanoparticles in a silicon matrix. At least some of the lithium oxide nanoparticles are removed from the silicon matrix to form porous silicon particles.

Abstract: An example of a flexible membrane includes a porous membrane and a solid electrolyte coating formed on at least a portion of a surface of the porous membrane, in pores of the porous membrane, or both on the surface and in the pores. The solid electrolyte coating includes i) a polymer chain or ii) an inorganic ionically conductive material. The polymer chain or the inorganic material includes a group to interact or react with a polysulfide through covalent bonding or supramolecular interaction.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an electrode for a lithium-based battery by electrophoretic deposition is provided. The method includes: mixing particles with graphene oxide and a binder in a solution, the particles including a material selected from silicon, silicon oxide, silicon alloys, tin, tin oxide, sulfur, lithium manganese oxide, lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, lithium nickel manganese oxide, and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide. The method further includes applying a potential between a current collector and a counter electrode immersed in the solution to deposit a coating of a combination of the particles, at least partially reduced graphene oxide, and binder onto the current collector. The method still further includes drying the coated current collector.