Nanostructured Battery Active Materials and Methods of Producing Same
AssigneeOneD Material, Inc.
InventorsWanqing Cao, Virginia Robbins
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Abstract
Methods for producing nanostructures from copper-based catalysts on porous substrates, particularly silicon nanowires on carbon-based substrates for use as battery active materials, are provided. Related compositions are also described. In addition, novel methods for production of copper-based catalyst particles are provided. Methods for producing nanostructures from catalyst particles that comprise a gold shell and a core that does not include gold are also provided.
Claims82
A method for producing nanostructures, the method comprising:
- providing a porous substrate having catalyst particles disposed thereon, which catalyst particles comprise copper, a copper compound, and/or a copper alloy;
- and
- growing the nanostructures from the catalyst particles.
A method for producing silicon nanowires, the method comprising:
- synthesizing colloidal nanoparticles comprising copper and/or a copper compound;
- depositing the nanoparticles on a substrate;
- and
- growing the nanowires from the nanoparticles.
A composition comprising a porous substrate and a population of silicon nanowires attached thereto, wherein one end of a member nanowire is attached to the substrate and the other end of the member nanowire comprises copper, a copper compound, and/or a copper alloy.
A method for producing nanoparticles, the method comprising:
- providing a substrate;
- providing an electroless plating solution comprising at most 10 millimolar copper ions;
- and
- immersing the substrate in the plating solution, whereby the copper ions from the plating solution form discrete nanoparticles comprising copper and/or a copper compound on the substrate, until the plating solution is substantially completely depleted of copper ions.
A method for producing nanowires, the method comprising:
- providing a substrate;
- providing an electroless plating solution comprising copper ions;
- immersing the substrate in the plating solution, whereby the copper ions from the plating solution form discrete nanoparticles comprising copper and/or a copper compound on the substrate;
- and
- growing the nanowires from the nanoparticles on the substrate.
A method for producing silicon nanowires, the method comprising:
- providing a substrate;
- providing a solution comprising copper ions and/or a copper complex;
- immersing the substrate in the solution, whereby the copper ions and/or the copper complex are adsorbed on the surface of the substrate, thereby forming discrete nanoparticles on the surface of the substrate;
- and
- growing the nanowires from the nanoparticles on the substrate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.