This invention in one aspect relates to a method of synthesizing a self-assembled mixed-dimensional heterostructure including 2D metallic borophene and 1D semiconducting armchair-oriented graphene nanoribbons (aGNRs). The method includes depositing boron on a substrate to grow borophene thereon at a substrate temperature in an ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) chamber; sequentially depositing 4,4″-dibromo-p-terphenyl on the borophene grown substrate at room temperature in the UHV chamber to form a composite structure; and controlling multi-step on-surface coupling reactions of the composite structure to self-assemble a borophene/graphene nanoribbon mixed-dimensional heterostructure. The borophene/aGNR lateral heterointerfaces are structurally and electronically abrupt, thus demonstrating atomically well-defined metal-semiconductor heterojunctions.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to carbon materials for battery electrodes and methods for preparing such carbon materials. More specifically, embodiments relate to methods for coating a carbon film onto nano-ordered carbon particles to produce carbon-coated particles which can be used as an anode material within a battery, such as a lithium-ion battery, a sodium-ion battery, other types of batteries. In one or more embodiments, a method for producing carbon-coated particles is provided and includes positioning nano-ordered carbon particles within a processing region of a processing chamber, purging the processing region containing the nano-ordered carbon particles with an inert gas, heating the nano-ordered carbon particles to a temperature of about 700° C. or greater during an annealing process, and depositing a carbon film on the nano-ordered carbon particles to produce carbon-coated particles during a vapor deposition process.

A solid electrolyte material contains Li, M, and X. M contains Y, and X is at least one selected from the group consisting of Cl, Br, and I. A first converted pattern, which is obtained by converting the X-ray diffraction pattern of the solid electrolyte material to change its horizontal axis from the diffraction angle to q, includes its base peak within the range in which q is 2.109 Å.sup.−1 or more and 2.315 Å.sup.−1 or less. A second converted pattern, which is obtained by converting the X-ray diffraction pattern to change its horizontal axis from the diffraction angle to q/q.sub.0, where q.sub.0 is the q corresponding to the base peak in the first converted pattern, includes a peak within each of the range in which q/q.sub.0 is 1.28 or more and 1.30 or less and the range in which q/q.sub.0 is 1.51 or more and 1.54 or less.

Exemplary embodiments of positive electrode active materials in the form of single particles, and a method of preparing each of them, are provided. The single particles of the exemplary embodiments include single particles of a nickel-based lithium composite metal oxide, having a plurality of crystal grains, each having a size of 180 nm to 300 nm, as analyzed by a Cu Kα X-ray (X-rα). The single particles include a metal doped in the crystal lattice thereof. One embodiment includes a surface coating. The total content of the metal doped in the crystal lattice thereof and the metal of the metal oxide coated on the surface thereof is controlled in the range of 2500 ppm to 6000 ppm.

The invention relates to Chevrel-phase materials and methods of preparing these materials utilizing a precursor approach. The Chevrel-phase materials are useful in assembling electrodes, e.g., cathodes, for use in electrochemical cells, such as rechargeable batteries. The Chevrel-phase materials have a general formula of Mo.sub.6Z.sub.8 (Z=sulfur) or Mo.sub.6Z.sup.1.sub.8-yZ.sup.2.sub.y (Z.sup.1=sulfur; Z.sup.2=selenium), and partially cuprated Cu.sub.1Mo.sub.6S.sub.8 as well as partially de-cuprated Cu.sub.1-xMg.sub.xMo.sub.6S.sub.8 and the precursors have a general formula of M.sub.xMo.sub.6Z.sub.8 or M.sub.xMo.sub.6Z.sup.1.sub.8-yZ.sup.2.sub.y, M=Cu. The cathode containing the Chevrel-phase material in accordance with the invention can be combined with a magnesium-containing anode and an electrolyte.

The invention relates to an electrode (10) for photoelectric catalysis, comprising a supporting layer (1) on which a catalytic layer (2) is arranged, which comprises particles (3) from a first semiconductor material, and a method for the production of said electrode and a solar cell with said electrode.

It is provided that the catalytic layer (2) further features a matrix (4) consisting of a second semiconductor material, which at least partially surrounds the particles.

A composite containing phosphorus, lithium, iron, sulfur, and carbon as constituent elements wherein lithium sulfide (Li.sub.2S) is present in an amount of 90 mol % or more, and wherein the crystallite size calculated from the half-width of a diffraction peak based on the (111) plane of Li.sub.2S as determined by X-ray powder diffraction measurement is 80 nm or less. The composite exhibits a high capacity (in particular, a high discharge capacity) useful as an electrode active material for a lithium-ion secondary battery (in particular, a cathode active material for a lithium-ion secondary battery), without the need for stepwise pre-cycling treatment.

Transition-metal doped Li-rich anti-perovskite cathode compositions are provided herein. The Li-rich anti-perovskite cathode compositions have a chemical formula of Li.sub.(3-δ)M5/.sub.mBA, wherein 0<δ<3m/(m+1) and δ=3m/(m+1) is the maximum value for the transition metals doping, a chemical formula of Li.sub.4-δMs.sub.δ/mPC.sub.4A, wherein 0<δ≦4m/(m+1) and δ=4m/(m+1) is the maximum value for the transition metals doping, or a combination thereof, wherein M is a transition metal, B is a divalent anion, and A is a monovalent anion. Also provided herein, are methods of making the Li-rich anti-perovskite cathode compositions, and uses of the Li-rich anti-perovskite cathode compositions.

An apparatus for manufacturing a lithium-ion secondary cell negative-electrode carbon material by heat-treating carbon particles while causing the carbon particles to flow within a heat-treatment furnace, the apparatus having a heat-treatment furnace provided with a carbon-particle supply opening for supplying the carbon particles into the interior, and a negative-electrode carbon material recovery opening for taking out the negative-electrode carbon material from the interior and a cooling tank connected in an airtight manner to the negative-electrode carbon material recovery opening of the heat-treatment furnace, and provided with a cooling means.

The present invention provides a positive electrode active material for a secondary battery, which includes a core, a shell disposed to surround the core, and a buffer layer which is disposed between the core and the shell and includes pores and a three-dimensional network structure connecting the core and the shell, wherein, the core, the shell, and the three-dimensional network structure of the buffer layer each independently include a lithium nickel manganese cobalt-based composite metal oxide and at least one metallic element of the nickel, the manganese, and the cobalt has a concentration gradient that gradually changes in any one region of the core, the shell, and the entire positive electrode active material.