Cluster-ion based superionic conductors are provided as are solid electrolytes comprising cluster-ion based superionic conductors. The solid electrolytes are use, for example, in solid state batteries.

A method and apparatus for preparing boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) according to an embodiment may ensure mass-production, may increase yield by reducing a production time, and may prepare BNNTs with high purity. The method includes steps of providing a first powder including boron, forming a second powder including a boron precursor by nano-sizing the first powder, forming a precursor disk by mixing the second powder with a binder; and growing BNNTs on the precursor disk.

Disclosed herein is the preparation of functional group containing amine-boranes from the corresponding amines. The mild reaction conditions allow for the direct preparation of several hitherto inaccessible amine-boranes containing a functional moiety, such as but not limited to, alkene, alkyne, hydroxyl, thiol, acetal, ester, amide, nitrile, nitro, and alkoxysilane.

Ternary tungsten boride nitride (WBN) thin films and related methods of formation are provided. The films are have excellent thermal stability, tunable resistivity and good adhesion to oxides. Methods of forming the films can involve thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes in which boron-containing, nitrogen-containing and tungsten-containing reactants are sequentially pulsed into a reaction chamber to deposit the WBN films. In some embodiments, the processes include multiple cycles of boron-containing, nitrogen-containing and tungsten-containing reactant pulses, with each cycle including multiple boron-containing pulses.

A method for recycling a cathode material and a solid electrolyte from a solid-state lithium battery is provided. The method has the following steps: a) separating the solid-state lithium battery into a solid mixture, said mixture comprising lithium anode, cathode material, and solid electrolyte components, b) mixing the solid mixture with an aprotic solvent, forming a solution of the solid electrolyte in the aprotic solvent and insoluble constituents comprising lithium anode and cathode material, c) separating the solution of the solid electrolyte from the insoluble constituents, d) bringing the insoluble constituents into contact with a protic solvent, forming a solution of lithium salt of the general formula LiX in the protic solvent and undissolved cathode material, e) separating the solution of lithium salt LiX from the undissolved cathode material, and f) calcinating the separated cathode material while adding a lithium compound.

A method for recycling a cathode material and a solid electrolyte from a solid-state lithium battery is provided. The method has the following steps: a) separating the solid-state lithium battery into a solid mixture, said mixture comprising lithium anode, cathode material, and solid electrolyte components, b) mixing the solid mixture with an aprotic solvent, forming a solution of the solid electrolyte in the aprotic solvent and insoluble constituents comprising lithium anode and cathode material, c) separating the solution of the solid electrolyte from the insoluble constituents, d) bringing the insoluble constituents into contact with a protic solvent, forming a solution of lithium salt of the general formula LiX in the protic solvent and undissolved cathode material, e) separating the solution of lithium salt LiX from the undissolved cathode material, and f) calcinating the separated cathode material while adding a lithium compound.

A reaction method comprising combining a carbonyl-substituted arylboronic acid or ester and an -effect amine in aqueous solution at a temperature between about 5 C to 55 C, and a pH between 2 and 8 to produce an adduct. A process is also provided comprising: contacting a boron compound having a boron atom bonded to a sp.sup.2 hybridized carbon conjugated with a cis-carbonyl, the boron having at least one labile substituent, with an -effect amine, in a solvent for a time sufficient to form an adduct, which may proceed to further products.

Surface-modified nanoparticles wherein each nanoparticle includes an inorganic core and surface modifying groups, wherein the surface modifying groups include at least one triorganoborane-amine complex having the structure ZNHR.sup.1B(R.sup.2).sub.3 wherein: Z is a divalent organic group; R.sup.1 is H or an organic group; and each R.sup.2 is independently an organic group bound to the boron atom through a carbon atom. The inorganic core is typically an inorganic oxide core, e.g., silica, zirconia, or alumina.

A solid electrolyte contains an internal component and an external component coated on a surface of the internal component. The internal component is represented by a formula Li.sub.1+xM.sub.xZr.sub.2x(PO.sub.4).sub.3, M is one or more elements selected from a group consisting of Al, La, Cr, Ga, Y, and In, and 0.05x0.4. The external component contains a plastic deformable material and has a conductivity of about 10.sup.7 S/cm to about 10.sup.5S/cm. A method of preparing the solid electrolyte and a lithium ion battery including the solid electrolyte are also provided.

A lithium ion conductive solid electrolyte material, a lithium ion conductive solid electrolyte, a method for producing the same, or an all-solid-state battery; and the method for producing a lithium ion conductive solid electrolyte material having a crystal structure based on LiTa.sub.2PO.sub.8 and having at least Li, Ta, P, O, and Zr as constituent elements. The method includes a primary pulverization step of pulverizing a raw material to obtain a primary pulverized product, a firing step of firing the primary pulverized product to obtain a primary fired product, and a secondary pulverization step of pulverizing the primary fired product by using a ball mill to obtain a lithium ion conductive solid electrolyte material.