Methods for forming nanostructures of various shapes are disclosed. Nanocubes, nanowires, nanopyramids and multiply twinned particles of silver may by formed by combining a solution of silver nitrate in ethylene glycol with a solution of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) in ethylene glycol. Hollow nanostructures may be formed by reacting a solution of solid nanostructures comprising one of a first metal and a first metal alloy with a metal salt that can be reduced by the first metal or first metal alloy. Nanostructures comprising a core with at least one nanoshell may be formed by plating a nanostructure and reacting the plating with a metal salt.

In one aspect, a composite porous composition is disclosed, which comprises a porous structure including a plurality of pores, and a plurality of functional particles distributed within at least some of said pores of the porous structure, wherein the particles comprise porous particles.

An electrode material which may be used in an electrochemical cell used to convert carbon dioxide into useful products, such as synthetic fuel. The electrode material may comprise nano-sized core-shell catalyst (i.e., core-shell nanoparticles, or CSNs) having a catalytic core component encompassed by one or more outer shells, wherein at least one of the outer shells has a mesoporous structure. Electrochemical cells, electrochemical cell electrodes, and methods of making CSNs are also provided.

Powders, electrodes, zinc-air batteries and corresponding methods are provided. Powders comprise perforated shells having a size of at least 100 nm and comprising openings smaller than 10 nm. The shells are electrically conductive and/or comprise an electrically conductive coating. Powders further comprise zinc and/or zinc oxide which resides at least partially within the shells. Methods comprise wetting the shells with a zinc solution to yield at least partial penetration of the zinc solution through the openings, and coating zinc internally in the shells by application of electric current to the shells. Upon electrode preparation from the powder, cell construction and cell operation, zinc is oxidized to provide energy and the shells retain formed Zn O therewith, providing sufficient volume for the associated expansion and maintaining thereby the mechanical stability and structure of the electrodeto enable many operation cycles of the rechargeable zinc-air batteries.

Powders, electrodes, zinc-air batteries and corresponding methods are provided. Powders comprise perforated shells having a size of at least 100 nm and comprising openings smaller than 10 nm. The shells are electrically conductive and/or comprise an electrically conductive coating. Powders further comprise zinc and/or zinc oxide which resides at least partially within the shells. Methods comprise wetting the shells with a zinc solution to yield at least partial penetration of the zinc solution through the openings, and coating zinc internally in the shells by application of electric current to the shells. Upon electrode preparation from the powder, cell construction and cell operation, zinc is oxidized to provide energy and the shells retain formed Zn O therewith, providing sufficient volume for the associated expansion and maintaining thereby the mechanical stability and structure of the electrodeto enable many operation cycles of the rechargeable zinc-air batteries.

A hard composite composition may comprise a binder and a polymodal blend of matrix powder. The polymodal blend of matrix powder may have at least one first local maxima at a particle size of about 0.5 nm to about 30 m, at least one second local maxima at a particle size of about 200 m to about 10 mm, and at least one local minima between a particle size of about 30 m to about 200 m that has a value that is less than the first local maxima.

Provided are methods of producing hollow metal nanospheres (HMNs) having a pre-selected surface rugosity. The methods include combining in a galvanic exchange reaction at a selected pH: a solution comprising cobalt-based nanoparticle (Co.sub.xB.sub.y NP) scaffolds; and a solution comprising a metal, to produce Co.sub.xB.sub.y NP core/metal shell structures. The methods further include oxidizing the Co.sub.xB.sub.y NP cores of the Co.sub.xB.sub.y NP core/metal shell structures to produce HMNs having the pre-selected surface rugosity, where the pH of the galvanic exchange reaction is selected to produce the pre-selected surface rugosity of the HMNs. Also provided are HMNs produced according to the methods, as well as methods of using the HMNs. Compositions and kits that find use, e.g., in practicing the methods of the present disclosure, are also provided.

Provided are methods of producing hollow metal nanospheres (HMNs) having a pre-selected surface rugosity. The methods include combining in a galvanic exchange reaction at a selected pH: a solution comprising cobalt-based nanoparticle (Co.sub.xB.sub.y NP) scaffolds; and a solution comprising a metal, to produce Co.sub.xB.sub.y NP core/metal shell structures. The methods further include oxidizing the Co.sub.xB.sub.y NP cores of the Co.sub.xB.sub.y NP core/metal shell structures to produce HMNs having the pre-selected surface rugosity, where the pH of the galvanic exchange reaction is selected to produce the pre-selected surface rugosity of the HMNs. Also provided are HMNs produced according to the methods, as well as methods of using the HMNs. Compositions and kits that find use, e.g., in practicing the methods of the present disclosure, are also provided.

A method of manufacturing a highly insulating three-dimensional (3D) structure is provided. The method includes depositing a first layer of hollow microspheres onto a base. The hollow microspheres have a metallic coating formed thereon. A laser beam is scanned over the hollow microspheres so as to sinter the metallic coating of the hollow microspheres at predetermined locations. At least one layer of the hollow microspheres is deposited onto the first layer. Scanning by the laser beam is repeated for each successive layer until a predetermined 3D structure is constructed. The 3D structure includes a composite thermal barrier coating (TBC), which may be applied to a surface of components within an internal combustion engine, and the like. The composite TBC is bonded to the components of the engine to provide low thermal conductivity and low heat capacity insulation that is sealed against combustion gasses.

The present invention relates to silver particles capable of having a uniform particle distribution, preventing agglomeration of a powder, and significantly improving dispersibility, the silver particles each having pores therein, and to a manufacturing method therefor and, more specifically, to a manufacturing method for silver particles, the method comprising a silver-complex forming step, a silver slurry preparing step, and a silver particle obtaining step, and to silver particles manufactured therefrom.