Cobalt oxide thin films prepared by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition from cobalt acetylacetonate

Thin films of cobalt oxide have been deposited on various substrates, such as glass, Si(100). SrTiO3(100), and LaAlO3(100), by low pressure metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) using cobalt(II) acetylacetonate as the precursor. Films obtained in the temperature range 400-600°C were uniform and highly crystalline having Co3O4 phase as revealed by x-ray diffraction. Under similar conditions of growth, highly oriented thin films of cobalt oxide grow on SrTiO3(100) and LaAlO3(100). The microstructure and the surface morphology of cobalt oxide films on glass, Si(100) and single crystalline substrates, SrTiO3(100) and LaAlO3(l00) were studied by scanning electron microscopy. Optical properties of the films were studied by uv-visible-near IR spectrophotometry

A Low-Cost, High Energy-Density Lead/Acid Battery

Lightweight plastic grids for lead/acid battery plates have been prepared from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer. The grids have been coated with a conductive and corrosion-resistant tin oxide layer by a novel rapid thermally activated chemical reaction process. X-ray powder diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy show the coated tin oxide film to be SnO2-like. The grids are about 75% lighter than conventional lead/acid battery grids. A 6 V/1 Ah lead/acid battery has been assembled and characterized employing positive and negative plates made from these grids. The energy density of such a lead/acid battery is believed to be more than 50 Wh/kg

Improved lead–acid cells employing tin oxide coated Dynel fibres with positive active-material

A rapid-thermally-activated chemical reaction process has been employed to coat tin oxide onto Dynel fibres. Positive-limited 2 V/1.5 Ah lead-acid cells employing tin-oxide coated Dynel fibres as additive to positive active mass have been assembled and characterized under various operational conditions. In this manner, it has been possible to improve the positive active material utilization and particularly at higher discharge rates