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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 163 records · Page 9

Individually Dispersed Gold Nanoshell-Bearing Cellulose Nanocrystals with Tailorable Plasmon Resonance

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) can be attractive templates for the generation of functional inorganic/organic nanoparticles, given their fine sizes, aspect ratios, and sustainable worldwide availability in abundant quantities. Here we present for the first time a scalable, surfactant-free, tailorable wet chemical process for converting commercially-available CNCs into individual aspected gold nanoshell-bearing particles with tunable surface plasmon resonance bands. Using a rational cellulose functionalization approach, stable suspensions of positively-charged CNCs have been generated. Continuous, conductive, nanocrystalline gold coatings were then applied to the individual, electrostatically-stabilized CNCs via decoration with 1-3 nm diameter gold particles followed by electroless gold deposition. Optical analyses indicated that these core-shell nanoparticles exhibited two surface plasmon absorbance bands, with one located in the visible range (near 550 nm) and the other at near infrared wavelengths. Here, the near IR band possessed a peak maximum wavelength that could be tuned over a wide range (1000-1300 nm) by adjusting the gold coating thickness. The bandwidth and wavelength of the peak maximum of the near IR band were also sensitive to the particle size distribution and could be further refined by fractionation using viscosity gradient centrifugation.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Comprehensive Enhancement of Nanostructured Lithium-Ion Battery Cathode Materials via Conformal Graphene Dispersion

Efficient energy storage systems based on lithium-ion batteries represent a critical technology across many sectors including consumer electronics, electrified transportation, and a smart grid accommodating intermittent renewable energy sources. Nanostructured electrode materials present compelling opportunities for high-performance lithium-ion batteries, but inherent problems related to the high surface area to volume ratios at the nanometer-scale have impeded their adoption for commercial applications. Here, we demonstrate a materials and processing platform that realizes high-performance nanostructured lithium manganese oxide (nano-LMO) spinel cathodes with conformal graphene coatings as a conductive additive. The resulting nanostructured composite cathodes concurrently resolve multiple problems that have plagued nanoparticle-based lithium-ion battery electrodes including low packing density, high additive content, and poor cycling stability. Moreover, this strategy enhances the intrinsic advantages of nano-LMO, resulting in extraordinary rate capability and low temperature performance. With 75% capacity retention at a 20C cycling rate at room temperature and nearly full capacity retention at -20 degrees C, this work advances lithium-ion battery technology into unprecedented regimes of operation.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗