Nanotemplated platinum fuel cell catalysts and copper-tin lithium battery anode materials for microenergy devices

Nanotemplated materials have significant potential for applications in energy conversion and storage devices due to their unique physical properties. Nanostructured materials provide additional electrode surface area beneficial for energy conversion or storage applications with short path lengths for electronic and ionic transport and thus the possibility of higher reaction rates. We report on the use of controlled growth of metal and alloy electrodeposited templated nanostructures for energy applications. Anodic aluminium oxide templates fabricated on Si for energy materials integration with electronic devices and their use for fuel cell and battery materials deposition is discussed. Nanostructured Pt anode catalysts for methanol fuel cells are shown. Templated CuSn alloy anodes that possess high capacity retention with cycling for lithium microbattery integration are also presented

Preparation and characterization of mesoporous carbons using a Turkish natural zeolitic template/furfuryl alcohol system

The template carbonization method was utilized for the production of mesoporous carbons using a Turkish natural zeolite as a template. The major carbon precursor used was furfuryl alcohol. Furfuryl alcohol was polymerized and carbonized between 700 °C and 1000 °C in the channels of the natural zeolite. The structure of the zeolite template and carbons were investigated by surface analysis techniques, scanning electron microscopy, 13C NMR and FTIR spectrometry, and powder X-ray diffraction. At the micrometer level, the carbon material templated with the natural zeolite had the same morphology as the zeolite. The porous carbon samples contained 9199% C and minor amounts of oxygen. While the surface area of the carbon produced without templation was only 18 m2/g, the surface area of the carbons produced within the template was found to be in the range of 400800 m2/g. Average pore diameter of the porous carbons was measured as ca. 510 nm, demonstrating presence of mesoporous framework in the carbons. The 13C NMR and FTIR spectra revealed that the carbons produced in the carbonization range of 7001000 °C contained some hydrogen and oxygen containing functional groups. The XRD results put forward indications to the presence of turbostratic structures and preservation of the structural regularity of the zeolite over extended distances in the carbons

Direct measurement of salt–mineral repulsion using atomic force microscopy

The disjoining pressure between a mineral and soluble salt crystal in concentrated aqueous solution has been successfully measured with atomic force microscopy

Spontaneous formation of a chiral (Mo2O2S2)2+-based cluster driven by dimeric {Te2O6}-based templates

Utilization of [Mo2S2O2(H2O)6]2+ and a tellurite anion led to the formation of three new clusters, 1–3, with unique structural features. The tellurite anion not only templated the formation of [(Mo2O2S2)4(TeO3)(OH)9]3− 1 and [(Mo2O2S2)12(TeO3)4(TeO4)2 (OH)18]10− 3, but also the in situ generation of two different types of dimeric {Te2O6} based moieties induced the spontaneous assembly of the chiral [(Mo2O2S2)10(TeO3)(Te2O6)2(OH)18]8− anionic cluster, 2