The invention includes apparatus and methods for instantiating rare earth metals in a nanoporous carbon powder.

Particulate composite materials and devices comprising the same are provided.

Particulate composite materials and devices comprising the same are provided.

A method of using a feedstock gas reactor is described. A hydrocarbon, such as methane, is chemical decomposed in the feedstock gas reactor using heat of combustion generated from the combustion of a combustible gas. A mixed product stream is extracted from the feedstock gas reactor. The mixed product stream comprises hydrogen, carbon, and water. At least a portion of the one or more combustion product gases are vented from the combustion chamber. At least some of the carbon is activated using the vented one or more combustion product gases. At least some of the activated carbon is recycled to the feedstock gas reactor.

A negative electrode material for a lithium-ion secondary battery containing a composite (C) that contains a porous carbon (A) and a Si-containing compound (B). The porous carbon (A) satisfies V.sub.1/V.sub.0>0.80 and V.sub.2/V.sub.0<0.10. When a total pore volume at the maximum value of a relative pressure P/P.sub.0 is defined as V.sub.0 and P.sub.0 is a saturated vapor pressure, a cumulative pore volume at a relative pressure P/P.sub.0=0.1 is defined as V.sub.1, and a cumulative pore volume at a relative pressure P/P.sub.0=10.sup.−7 is defined as V.sub.2 in a nitrogen adsorption test. Further, the porous carbon (A) has a BET specific surface area of 800 m.sup.2/g or more, and the Si-containing compound (B) is contained in pores of the porous carbon (A). Also disclosed is a negative electrode sheet including the negative electrode material and a lithium-ion secondary battery including the negative electrode sheet.

An electrode for an electrochemical device includes porous carbon particles. In a pore distribution of the porous carbon particles, a ratio B/A of an integrated volume B to an integrated volume A ranges from 1 to 1.5, inclusive. The integrated volume A is an integrated volume of pores each having a pore diameter of more than or equal to 1 nm and less than 2 nm. The integrated volume B is an integrated volume of pores each having a pore diameter of more than or equal to 2 nm and less than or equal to 50 nm. A volume-based particle diameter frequency distribution of the porous carbon particles has a first peak and a second peak. A particle diameter corresponding to the second peak is larger than a particle diameter corresponding to the first peak.

An electrode for an electrochemical device includes porous carbon particles. In a pore distribution of the porous carbon particles, a ratio B/A of an integrated volume B to an integrated volume A ranges from 1 to 1.5, inclusive. The integrated volume A is an integrated volume of pores each having a pore diameter of more than or equal to 1 nm and less than 2 nm. The integrated volume B is an integrated volume of pores each having a pore diameter of more than or equal to 2 nm and less than or equal to 50 nm. A volume-based particle diameter frequency distribution of the porous carbon particles has a first peak and a second peak. A particle diameter corresponding to the second peak is larger than a particle diameter corresponding to the first peak.

The technology disclosed herein is directed to controlling humidity levels, such as the humidity level in an enclosed environment. The water isotherm of the adsorbent material is customized through the modification of the surface chemistry of the adsorbent. By modifying the surface chemistry of the adsorbent in various ways and to varying degrees, it is possible to customize the adsorbent properties to a range of different humidity levels. Such modification can enhance the adsorbing capacity and efficiency of the adsorbent, especially with regard to low molecular weight water-soluble compounds.

The technology disclosed herein is directed to controlling humidity levels, such as the humidity level in an enclosed environment. The water isotherm of the adsorbent material is customized through the modification of the surface chemistry of the adsorbent. By modifying the surface chemistry of the adsorbent in various ways and to varying degrees, it is possible to customize the adsorbent properties to a range of different humidity levels. Such modification can enhance the adsorbing capacity and efficiency of the adsorbent, especially with regard to low molecular weight water-soluble compounds.

Disclosed is a silicon-carbon composite negative-electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery having improved electrochemical properties which contains a carbon material derived from a wood-based material and a compound containing an isocyanate functional group in order to improve unstable dispersibility of silicon-based particles used as a negative-electrode active material for a lithium secondary battery, thereby improving electrical conductivity and producing stable electrode slurry. Further, a method for producing the same, and a lithium secondary battery including the same are disclosed.