A simple one pot sol-gel method for the synthesis of bi-metal nanostructures is based on non-noble metals (Fe, Co and Sn) and titanium. The method involves the synthesis of mixed metal nanoscale composites using low cost precursors which allow for the synthesis of desired nanocomposite materials with self-scarifying titanium or silica supports. The procedure does not require any surfactant or any need for pH controlled step. Applicants' method involves the in-situ generation of precursors and their simultaneous entrapment in a gel. This simple one pot synthesis allows for the synthesis of homogenous size, shape and distribution of targeted nanostructures. Further, this method can be applied for the preparation of various nanocomposite materials using different choices of metals and self-scarifying supports. Applicants also show that Pd, the noble metal based nanocomposite is feasible.

The present invention generally relates to a process for synthesizing rare earth-doped cobalt-chromite (CoCr.sub.2-xR.sub.xO.sub.4) pigments for capacitive and resistive humidity sensor applications, the process includes of crushing individually metal nitrates and rare earth material (R) using a hydraulic press to form a powder of metal nitrates and rare earth nitrates; dissolving the powder of metal nitrates and rare earth material (R) with fuels in 30 milliliters of distilled water with constant stirring using a magnetic stirrer to form a green color solution; heating the green color solution at 425 degrees Celsius for half an hour to obtain a green powder; extracting and grinding the green powder in an agate mortar for 1 hour to form a fine green pigment; and annealing the fine green pigment in a muffle furnace for two hours at a temperature of 500-600 degrees to remove organic residue and obtain rare earth-doped cobalt-chromite (CoCr.sub.2-xR.sub.xO.sub.4) pigments.

The present disclosure relates to oxygen-selective anodes and methods for the use thereof.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a positive electrode active material that can inhibit the capacity changes associated with temperature variations, and an alkaline battery that contains this positive electrode active material. Aluminum and ytterbium are at least partially solid-dissolved in nickel hydroxide in the nickel composite hydroxide present in the positive electrode active material of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a method of producing metal nanoparticles and metal sulfide nanoparticles using a recombinant microorganism co-expressing metallothionein and phytochelatin synthase, which are heavy metal-adsorbing proteins, and to the use of metal nanoparticles and metal sulfide nanoparticles synthesized by the method. The present invention provides a method for synthesizing metal nanoparticles which have been difficult to synthesize by conventional biological methods. The present invention makes it possible to synthesize metal nanoparticles in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner, and also makes it possible to synthesize metal sulfide nanoparticles. In addition, even metal nanoparticles which could have been produced by conventional chemical or biological methods are produced in a significantly increased yield by use of the method of the present invention.

Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for fabricating and implementing optically absorbing coatings. In one aspect, an optically selective coating includes a substrate formed of a solar energy absorbing material, and a nanostructure material formed over the substrate as a coating capable of absorbing solar energy in a selected spectrum and reflecting the solar energy in another selected spectrum. A concentrating solar power (CSP) system includes heat transfer fluids (HTFs); thermal energy storage system (TES); and solar receivers in communication with HTFs and including a light absorbing coating layer based on cobalt oxide nanoparticles.

The present invention refers to material that includes a compound of the formula ABOx wherein X is >1.5 and ?2.5, A is independently selected from a transition metal of IUPAC groups 10 and 11, and B is independently selected from a transition metal of IUPAC group 6, 7, 8 or 9 or a main group element of IUPAC group 13, as highly active catalyst for a hydrogen evolution reaction (HER).

Disclosed are a passivation layer (200), a preparation method therefor and an application thereof. The passivation layer (200) comprises a first passivation layer (210), the first passivation layer (210) being disposed adjacent to a secondary battery negative electrode plate (100) and having ionic conductivity and a thickness of 0.1-10 nm. The passivation layer (200) also comprises a second passivation layer (220), the second passivation layer (210) being disposed at a side surface of the first passivation layer (210) distant from the negative electrode plate (100) of the secondary battery, comprising a corrosion-resistant material and having a thickness of 0.1-5 nm. The passivation layer (200) has the effect of increasing safety performance and cycle performance of a secondary battery. The preparation method is simple and has high applicability. Furthermore, the obtained passivation layer (200) can be applied in multiple types of batteries and multiple fields.

The present disclosure discloses a preparation method of a tin-based lithium cobaltate precursor and use thereof. The method involves adding a cobalt salt solution, a precipitant and a complexing agent for reaction to obtain a precipitate, wherein the precipitant is a mixed solution of carbonate and stannate; calcining the precipitate; and mixing the calcined material with dioxane, ball-milling the mixture, and subjecting the ball-milled product to a heating and pressurization treatment to obtain the tin-based lithium cobaltate precursor. In the present disclosure, after carbonate and stannate are blended, the blend react with cobalt salt to form the co-precipitate of cobalt carbonate and cobalt stannate, and after calcination, a mixture of cobalt(II,III) oxide and tin dioxide is formed. By utilizing dioxane for solvent hot pressing, particles are bonded to each other, forming grain boundary channels. In addition, by doping with tin, the conductivity of the material is improved.

An electron transport includes a metal co-doped zinc oxide compound having a formula Mn.sub.xCo.sub.0.015Zn.sub.1-xO, wherein x has a value in a range of 0.001 to 0.014. The electron transport material of the present disclosure may be used in a perovskite solar cell.