Provided are separators for use in an electrochemical cell comprising (a) an inorganic oxide and (b) an organic polymer, wherein the inorganic oxide comprises organic substituents. Also provided are electrochemical cells comprising such separators.

Silicon-carbon composite materials and related processes are disclosed that overcome the challenges for providing amorphous nano-sized silicon entrained within porous carbon. Compared to other, inferior materials and processes described in the prior art, the materials and processes disclosed herein find superior utility in various applications, including energy storage devices such as lithium ion batteries.

The disclosure relates to a Fe.sub.3C-doped graded porous carbon polymer potassium ion anode material as well as a preparation method and application thereof. In the method, previously prepared Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 is added into phenylamine, pyrrole, thiophene and cellulose acetate solutions, the above mixture is evaporated at the low temperature of 65-100° C., and then the evaporated product is calcinated to obtain a potassium battery anode material. This material consists of carbon nano sheets having different pore diameters, and has a graded porous structure of micropores, mesopores and macropores. Physical characterization results show that this material has the characteristics of large interlayer spacing, high specific surface area, rich defects and the like; electrochemical testing results show that this material has high reversible capacity and excellent cycle stability and rate performance.

Composites of silicon and various porous scaffold materials, such as carbon material comprising micro-, meso- and/or macropores, and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The compositions find utility in various applications, including electrical energy storage electrodes and devices comprising the same.

Hollow spherical particles which include: an inorganic particle layer including ceramic particles and conductive carbon-based particles; and a polymer coating layer surrounding the inorganic particle layer, and in which the inorganic particle layer surrounds an empty inner space to form the hollow spherical particles. A method of manufacturing the hollow spherical particles and a heat-dissipating fluid composition including the hollow spherical particles.

Provided are separators for use in an electrochemical cell comprising (a) an inorganic oxide and (b) an organic polymer, wherein the inorganic oxide comprises organic substituents. Also provided are electrochemical cells comprising such separators.

Disclosed are a carbon nanotube (CNT)-based three-dimensional ordered macroporous (3DOM) carbon material and a preparation method thereof. The CNT-based 3DOM carbon material comprises a honeycomb network structure having a 3DOM structure formed by overlapping CNTs, wherein ordered macropores each have a diameter of 270 nm to 360 nm, and the CNTs each have an outer diameter of 8 nm to 20 nm

A carbon foam comprising linear portions and node portions joining the linear portions, wherein the linear portions have a diameter of 0.1 μm or more and 10.0 μm or less, and the carbon foam has a surface with an area of 100 cm.sup.2 or more.

Composites of silicon and various porous scaffold materials, such as carbon material comprising micro-, meso- and/or macropores, and methods for manufacturing the same are provided. The compositions find utility in various applications, including electrical energy storage electrodes and devices comprising the same.

Particulate composite materials and devices comprising the same are provided.