Scalable synthesis of one-dimensional Na2Li2Ti6O14 nanofibers as ultrahigh rate capability anodes for lithium-ion batteries

Na₂Li₂Ti₆O₁₄ nanofibers presented superior electrochemical performance with high rate capability and long cycle life and can be regarded as a competitive anode candidate for advanced Li-ion batteries.

TiO2 nanotubes wrapped with reduced graphene oxide as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Through electrostatic interaction and high-temperature reduction methods, rGO was closely coated onto the surface of TiO₂ nanotubes. Even at a high temperature of 700 °C, the nanotube morphology of TiO₂ (anatase) was preserved because of the assistance of rGO, which provides a framework that prevents the tubes from breaking into particles and undergoing a phase transformation. The rGO/TiO₂ nanotubes deliver a high capacity (263 mAh g^-1 at the end of 100 cycles at 0.1 A g^-1), excellent rate performance (151 mAh g^-1 at 2 A g^-1 and 102 mAh g^-1 at 5 A g^-1), and good cycle stability (206 mAh g^-1 after 500 cycles at 0.5 A g^-1). These characteristics arise from the GO/TiO₂ nanotubes' advanced structure. First, the closely coated rGO and Ti³⁺ in the tubes give rise to a high electro-conductivity of the nanotubes. Additionally, the Li⁺ ions can rapidly transfer into the electrode via the nanotubes' empty inner diameter and short tube wall.

Temperature-mediated phase transformation, pore geometry and pore hysteresis transformation of borohydride derived in-born porous zirconium hydroxide nanopowders

Development of in-born porous nature of zirconium hydroxide nanopowders through a facile hydrogen (H2) gas-bubbles assisted borohydride synthesis route using sodium borohydride (NaBH4) and novel information on the temperature-mediated phase transformation, pore geometry as well as pore hysteresis transformation of in-born porous zirconium hydroxide nanopowders with the help of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) isotherm and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images are the main theme of this research work. Without any surfactants or pore forming agents, the borohydride derived amorphous nature of porous powders was stable up to 500 °C and then the seed crystals start to develop within the loose amorphous matrix and trapping the inter-particulate voids, which led to develop the porous nature of tetragonal zirconium oxide at 600 °C and further sustain this porous nature as well as tetragonal phase of zirconium oxide up to 800 °C. The novel hydrogen (H2) gas-bubbles assisted borohydride synthesis route led to develop thermally stable porous zirconium hydroxide/oxide nanopowders with an adequate pore size, pore volume, and surface area and thus these porous materials are further suggested for promising use in different areas of applications.

Aqueous sodium borohydride induced thermally stable porous zirconium oxide for quick removal of lead ions

Aqueous sodium borohydride (NaBH4) is well known for its reducing property and well-established for the development of metal nanoparticles through reduction method. In contrary, this research paper discloses the importance of aqueous NaBH4 as a precipitating agent towards development of porous zirconium oxide. The boron species present in aqueous NaBH4 play an active role during gelation as well as phase separated out in the form of boron complex during precipitation, which helps to form boron free zirconium hydroxide [Zr(OH)4] in the as-synthesized condition. Evolved in-situ hydrogen (H2) gas-bubbles also play an important role to develop as-synthesized loose zirconium hydroxide and the presence of intra-particle voids in the loose zirconium hydroxide help to develop porous zirconium oxide during calcination process. Without any surface modification, this porous zirconium oxide quickly adsorbs almost hundred percentages of toxic lead ions from water solution within 15 minutes at normal pH condition. Adsorption kinetic models suggest that the adsorption process was surface reaction controlled chemisorption. Quick adsorption was governed by surface diffusion process and the adsorption kinetic was limited by pore diffusion. Five cycles of adsorption-desorption result suggests that the porous zirconium oxide can be reused efficiently for removal of Pb (II) ions from aqueous solution.

Bio-ingredient assisted formation of porous TiO2 for Li-ion battery electrodes

Macroporous anatase TiO₂ with mesopores was generated using instant yeast and glucose as the templates. The oxide functioned as the electrode material for Li-ion battery with excellent capacity and cycling stability.

Porous inorganic materials from living porogens: channel-like TiO2 from yeast-assisted sol-gel process

Vitality of yeast cells maintained in an aqueous sol-gel solution containing titanium tetraisopropoxide and glucose. The living cells and their metabolites acted as the porogens for a channel-like TiO2 precursor. Further processing of the precursor offered a channel-like meso/macroporous TiO2, a potential anode material for Li-ion battery.