A method of making a negative electrode material for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided that includes centrifugally distributing a molten precursor comprising silicon and lithium by contacting the molten precursor with a rotating surface in a centrifugal atomizing reactor. The molten precursor is solidified to form a plurality of substantially round solid electroactive particles comprising an alloy of lithium and silicon and having a D50 diameter of less than or equal to about 20 micrometers. In certain variations, the negative electroactive material particles may further have one or more coatings disposed thereon, such as a carbonaceous coating and/or an oxide-based coating.

A method of making a negative electrode material for an electrochemical cell that cycles lithium ions is provided that includes centrifugally distributing a molten precursor comprising silicon and lithium by contacting the molten precursor with a rotating surface in a centrifugal atomizing reactor. The molten precursor is solidified to form a plurality of substantially round solid electroactive particles comprising an alloy of lithium and silicon and having a D50 diameter of less than or equal to about 20 micrometers. In certain variations, the negative electroactive material particles may further have one or more coatings disposed thereon, such as a carbonaceous coating and/or an oxide-based coating.

The disclosure herein discloses a general method for the synthesis of FeCoNiCu-based high-entropy alloy and their application for electrocatalytic water splitting, belonging to the technical field of preparation of composite materials. The catalytic material for electrolysis of water includes a reaction active material and a support. The reaction active material is FeCoNiCu-based high-entropy alloy nanoparticles such as FeCoNiCuSn, FeCoNiCuMn, FeCoNiCuV or the like. The support is a carbon nanofiber material prepared by electrospinning. The catalytic material for electrolysis of water prepared in the disclosure herein has a high specific surface area, which facilitates diffusion of the electrolyte and desorption of gas. By using the catalytic material for electrolysis of water, hydrogen and oxygen can be produced under alkaline conditions, and the hydrogen production rate under high voltage is much higher than that of a 20% Pt/C electrode. Meanwhile, the carbon nanofibers can effectively protect the high-entropy alloy nanoparticles from erosion of the electrolyte, and endow the catalytic material with good stability.

The disclosure herein discloses a general method for the synthesis of FeCoNiCu-based high-entropy alloy and their application for electrocatalytic water splitting, belonging to the technical field of preparation of composite materials. The catalytic material for electrolysis of water includes a reaction active material and a support. The reaction active material is FeCoNiCu-based high-entropy alloy nanoparticles such as FeCoNiCuSn, FeCoNiCuMn, FeCoNiCuV or the like. The support is a carbon nanofiber material prepared by electrospinning. The catalytic material for electrolysis of water prepared in the disclosure herein has a high specific surface area, which facilitates diffusion of the electrolyte and desorption of gas. By using the catalytic material for electrolysis of water, hydrogen and oxygen can be produced under alkaline conditions, and the hydrogen production rate under high voltage is much higher than that of a 20% Pt/C electrode. Meanwhile, the carbon nanofibers can effectively protect the high-entropy alloy nanoparticles from erosion of the electrolyte, and endow the catalytic material with good stability.

The disclosure herein discloses a general method for the synthesis of FeCoNiCu-based high-entropy alloy and their application for electrocatalytic water splitting, belonging to the technical field of preparation of composite materials. The catalytic material for electrolysis of water includes a reaction active material and a support. The reaction active material is FeCoNiCu-based high-entropy alloy nanoparticles such as FeCoNiCuSn, FeCoNiCuMn, FeCoNiCuV or the like. The support is a carbon nanofiber material prepared by electrospinning. The catalytic material for electrolysis of water prepared in the disclosure herein has a high specific surface area, which facilitates diffusion of the electrolyte and desorption of gas. By using the catalytic material for electrolysis of water, hydrogen and oxygen can be produced under alkaline conditions, and the hydrogen production rate under high voltage is much higher than that of a 20% Pt/C electrode. Meanwhile, the carbon nanofibers can effectively protect the high-entropy alloy nanoparticles from erosion of the electrolyte, and endow the catalytic material with good stability.

Method for forming prelithiated electroactive materials are provided. Methods include preparing a precursor that includes lithium and silicon and centrifugally distributing the precursor using a centrifugal atomizing reactor. Methods for preparing the precursor include contacting a first mixture including lithium and having a first temperature and a second mixture including silicon and having a second temperature in a mixing chamber to form a precursor. The first mixture and the second mixture each enters the mixing chamber at a pressure greater than or equal to about 10 PSI. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature. The method may further include centrifugally distributing the precursor by contacting the precursor with a rotating surface in a centrifugal atomizing reactor and solidifying the precursor to form a plurality of substantially round solid electroactive particles including lithium and silicon and having D50 diameters of less than or equal to about 30 micrometers.

Method for forming prelithiated electroactive materials are provided. Methods include preparing a precursor that includes lithium and silicon and centrifugally distributing the precursor using a centrifugal atomizing reactor. Methods for preparing the precursor include contacting a first mixture including lithium and having a first temperature and a second mixture including silicon and having a second temperature in a mixing chamber to form a precursor. The first mixture and the second mixture each enters the mixing chamber at a pressure greater than or equal to about 10 PSI. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature. The method may further include centrifugally distributing the precursor by contacting the precursor with a rotating surface in a centrifugal atomizing reactor and solidifying the precursor to form a plurality of substantially round solid electroactive particles including lithium and silicon and having D50 diameters of less than or equal to about 30 micrometers.

Method for forming prelithiated electroactive materials are provided. Methods include preparing a precursor that includes lithium and silicon and centrifugally distributing the precursor using a centrifugal atomizing reactor. Methods for preparing the precursor include contacting a first mixture including lithium and having a first temperature and a second mixture including silicon and having a second temperature in a mixing chamber to form a precursor. The first mixture and the second mixture each enters the mixing chamber at a pressure greater than or equal to about 10 PSI. The second temperature is greater than the first temperature. The method may further include centrifugally distributing the precursor by contacting the precursor with a rotating surface in a centrifugal atomizing reactor and solidifying the precursor to form a plurality of substantially round solid electroactive particles including lithium and silicon and having D50 diameters of less than or equal to about 30 micrometers.

An apparatus efficiently preparing ultrafine spherical metal powder includes a housing, a crucible and a powder collection area arranged in the housing. The turnplate arranged in the powder collection area is an inlaid structure. The part inlaid into the body part acts as an atomization plane of the turnplate. The atomization plane is provided with a concentric circular groove, and the turnplate is provided with an air hole. The apparatus is used for preparing ultrafine spherical metal powder by on-by-one droplets centrifugal atomization method, mainly combining the uniform droplet jet method and the centrifugal atomization method, which breaks through the traditional metal splitting model, makes the molten metal in a fibrous splitting, so as to efficiently prepare ultrafine spherical metal powder with narrow particle size distribution interval, high sphericity, good flowability, excellent spreadability, uniform and controllable size, no satellite droplets and suitable for industrial production.

An apparatus efficiently preparing ultrafine spherical metal powder includes a housing, a crucible and a powder collection area arranged in the housing. The turnplate arranged in the powder collection area is an inlaid structure. The part inlaid into the body part acts as an atomization plane of the turnplate. The atomization plane is provided with a concentric circular groove, and the turnplate is provided with an air hole. The apparatus is used for preparing ultrafine spherical metal powder by on-by-one droplets centrifugal atomization method, mainly combining the uniform droplet jet method and the centrifugal atomization method, which breaks through the traditional metal splitting model, makes the molten metal in a fibrous splitting, so as to efficiently prepare ultrafine spherical metal powder with narrow particle size distribution interval, high sphericity, good flowability, excellent spreadability, uniform and controllable size, no satellite droplets and suitable for industrial production.