Metal-carbon nanofiber composite electrodes for high performance lithium-ion and lead-acid batteries

A method for preparing a metal-carbon nanofiber composite material, the method comprising:

• providing a first solution comprising a source of metal and an acid;
• providing a second solution comprising a first polymer and a first solvent;
• combining the first solution and second solution to form a first electrospinning solution;
• providing a second electrospinning solution comprising a second polymer and a second solvent;
• electrospinning the first electrospinning solution and second electrospinning solution onto the same surface to produce a fiber material, wherein electrospinning each solution comprises an extrusion needle and a voltage source adjacent to the tip of the needle;
• heating the fiber material to a temperature greater than the melting point of the first polymer to produce an intermediate fiber material;
• and
• carbonizing the intermediate fiber material to produce a metal-carbon nanofiber composite material.