There are disclosed energetic nanoparticle compositions and materials containing silicon and other energetic elements, and methods of manufacturing the same, including reacting silicon nanoparticles and unsaturated alkene or alkyne to form covalently bonded surface coatings passivated against surface oxidation, for combination with a fuel, explosive or oxidizer.

Powder comprising particles comprising a matrix material and silicon-based domains dispersed in this matrix material, whereby the matrix material is carbon or a material that can be thermally decomposed to carbon, whereby either part of the silicon-based domains are present in the form of agglomerates of silicon-based domains whereby at least 98% of these agglomerates have a maximum size of 3 μm or less, or the silicon-based domains are not at all agglomerated into agglomerates.

Powder comprising particles comprising a matrix material and silicon-based domains dispersed in this matrix material, whereby the matrix material is carbon or a material that can be thermally decomposed to carbon, whereby either part of the silicon-based domains are present in the form of agglomerates of silicon-based domains whereby at least 98% of these agglomerates have a maximum size of 3 μm or less, or the silicon-based domains are not at all agglomerated into agglomerates.

Disclosed is a method for producing silicon nanoparticles in a plasma reactor including a reaction chamber presenting an inner surface. The method includes introducing a halogen gas into the reaction chamber of the plasma reactor. The method further includes igniting a plasma within the reaction chamber while the halogen gas is present within the reaction chamber. Atoms of the halogen gas at least partially form a coating on the inure surface of the reaction chamber. The method includes introducing a reactant gas mixture including a silicon precursor gas and a first inert gas into the reaction chamber of the plasma reactor. The method also includes forming the silicon nanoparticles in the plasma reactor. A silicon nanoparticles composition is also disclosed. The silicon nanoparticles composition comprises the silicon nanoparticles produced according to the method.

Disclosed is a method for preparing a nanoparticle composition. The method includes forming a nanoparticle aerosol in a low pressure reactor, wherein the aerosol comprises MX-functional nanoparticles entrained in a gas, where M is an independently selected Group IV element and X is a functional group independently selected from H and a halogen atom. The method further includes collecting the MX-functional nanoparticles of the aerosol in a capture fluid, where the capture fluid is in fluid communication with the low pressure reactor. The capture fluid includes a polar aprotic fluid immiscible with water and having a viscosity of from 5 to 200 centipoise at 25° C. The capture fluid further includes a functionalization compound miscible with the polar aprotic fluid, the functionalization compound comprising a functional group Y reactive with the functional group X of the MX-functional nanoparticles.

Disclosed is a method for preparing a nanoparticle composition. The method includes forming a nanoparticle aerosol in a low pressure reactor, wherein the aerosol comprises MX-functional nanoparticles entrained in a gas, where M is an independently selected Group IV element and X is a functional group independently selected from H and a halogen atom. The method further includes collecting the MX-functional nanoparticles of the aerosol in a capture fluid, where the capture fluid is in fluid communication with the low pressure reactor. The capture fluid includes a polar aprotic fluid immiscible with water and having a viscosity of from 5 to 200 centipoise at 25° C. The capture fluid further includes a functionalization compound miscible with the polar aprotic fluid, the functionalization compound comprising a functional group Y reactive with the functional group X of the MX-functional nanoparticles.

Silicon-carbon composite materials and related processes are disclosed that overcome the challenges for providing amorphous nano-sized silicon entrained within porous carbon. Compared to other, inferior materials and processes described in the prior art, the materials and processes disclosed herein find superior utility in various applications, including energy storage devices such as lithium ion batteries.

Silicon-carbon composite materials and related processes are disclosed that overcome the challenges for providing amorphous nano-sized silicon entrained within porous carbon. Compared to other, inferior materials and processes described in the prior art, the materials and processes disclosed herein find superior utility in various applications, including energy storage devices such as lithium ion batteries.

Composites of silicon and various porous scaffold materials, such as carbon material comprising micro-, meso- and/or macropores, and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The compositions find utility in various applications, including electrical energy storage electrodes and devices comprising the same.

Silicon carbon composite particles and anode materials for use within lithium-ion batteries utilizing the silicon carbon composite particles. Where the silicon carbon composite particles have an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal concentration of 0.05 to 10 wt% and a pH > 7.5.