Metal–Organic Frameworks-Derived Mesoporous Si/SiOx@NC Nanospheres as a Long-Lifespan Anode Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Silicon (Si)-based anode materials with suitable engineered nanostructures generally have improved lithium storage capabilities, which provide great promise for the electrochemical performance in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Herein, a metal–organic framework (MOF)-derived unique core–shell Si/SiO_x@NC structure has been synthesized by a facile magnesio-thermic reduction, in which the Si and SiO_x matrix were encapsulated by nitrogen (N)-doped carbon. Importantly, the well-designed nanostructure has enough space to accommodate the volume change during the lithiation/delithiation process. The conductive porous N-doped carbon was optimized through direct carbonization and reduction of SiO₂ into Si/SiO_x simultaneously. Benefiting from the core–shell structure, the synthesized product exhibited enhanced electrochemical performance as an anode material in LIBs. Particularly, the Si/SiO_x@NC-650 anode showed the best reversible capacities up to 724 and 702 mAh g⁻¹ even after 100 cycles. The excellent cycling stability of Si/SiO_x@NC-650 may be attributed to the core–shell structure as well as the synergistic effect between the Si/SiO_x and MOF-derived N-doped carbon.     

Optimizing carbon coating parameters for obtaining SiO2/C anodes with improved electrochemical performance

In this work, we present a comprehensive and systematic study on the use of low-cost and highly abundant carbon precursors to obtain SiO₂/C anodes with superior electrochemical performance towards Li-ions. Different SiO₂/C composites are prepared by soaking silica nanoparticles in solutions containing 20 wt%, 40 wt%, or 60 wt% of glucose, sucrose, or cornstarch, followed by thermal decomposition of the carbohydrates at 850 °C or 1200 °C. Structural, microstructural, and textural differences on the composites derived from the different carbon coating treatments are related to the electrochemical performance of the anodes. Composites containing final carbon contents close to 15 wt% show a complete coverage of the SiO₂ particles with a nanometric carbon layer and exhibit the best electrochemical results. The increase in the annealing temperature from 850 to 1200 °C reduces the porosity of the carbon layer and increases its level of ordering, both having positive effects on the overall electrochemical performance of the electrodes. SiO₂/C composites coated with 40 wt% sucrose and heat treated at 1200 °C display the best electrochemical performance, delivering a reversible specific capacity of 723 mAhg⁻¹ at 50 mAg⁻¹ after 100 cycles, which is considerably higher than the reversible capacity of 233 mAhg⁻¹ obtained with the uncoated material cycled under the same conditions.

     

Carbon nanofibers–SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> composites: Preparation and characterization

A method has been developed for preparing carbon fibers–SiO₂ composites using oligomethylhydridesiloxane (OMHS) as the precursor for SiO₂. The presence of active hydrogen in OMHS made it possible to attain chemical interaction between the surface of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and the applied silicon oxide layer. The oxidation rate of CNF–SiO₂ composite is found to be lower by about one order of magnitude compared to that of the as-synthesized CNF. The thermal stability of CNF–SiO₂ composites has been studied. Under an inert atmosphere, CNF–SiO₂ composite has thermal stability up to 1300°C. At temperatures above 1350°C, silicon carbide (SiC) fibers are formed as a result of the carbothermal reduction of silicon oxide.     

有序介孔硅包碳复合结构的制备及其储锂行为

以P123嵌段模板法合成SiO2-有序介孔(SiO2-OMPs)短棒状结构,以此为前驱体通过镁热还原和酚醛树脂碳包覆处理,成功制备出有序介孔硅/碳复合结构(Si/C-OMPs),用于锂离子电池负极材料测试。从扫描电镜图(SEM)和透射电图(TEM)观察发现,SiO2-OMPs形态可以通过HCl溶液浓度有效调控,在高浓度下获得高堆积密度的粒状有序介孔结构,并在镁热还原和碳包覆处理后这种有序介孔结构均得到完美保持。X射线衍射(XRD)数据的分析表明,镁热还原反应包括两步串连反应:Mg和SiO2先反应形成Mg2Si中间相,而后该相再还原剩余SiO2并获得终产物Si。第二步反应属于缓慢的固/固扩散过程,抑制了整个还原反应的完成,导致Si产率低且存在杂质相。电化学测试表明,由于其坚固的结构和畅通的介孔系统,有序介孔Si/C复合结构具有优异的循环稳定性和倍率性能。     

锂离子电池Si@void@C复合材料的制备及其电化学性能

以纳米Si颗粒为核心,正硅酸四乙酯（TEOS）为SiO₂源,采用Stober法在Si表面包覆一层SiO₂,再以多巴胺为碳源,通过碳化处理将SiO₂表面的聚多巴胺层转化成碳层。最后,用HF刻蚀SiO₂并留下空隙,得到Si@void@C复合纳米颗粒。利用X射线衍射、扫描电镜、透射电镜和恒流充放电测试对材料的物相、微观形貌和电化学性能进行表征。结果表明,在0.1 A·g^-1电流密度下,Si@void@C负极材料充放电循环100次后充电比容量仍然有1 319.5 mAh·g^-1,容量保持率为78.4%,表现出优异的电化学性能。     

Electrochemical Production of Si without Generation of CO2 Based on the Use of a Dimensionally Stable Anode in Molten CaCl2

The current Si production process is based on the high‐temperature (1700 °C) reduction of SiO₂ with carbon that produces large amounts of CO₂. We report an alternative low‐temperature (850 °C) process based on the reduction of SiO₂ in molten CaCl₂ that does not produce CO₂. It utilizes an anode material (Ti₄O₇) capable of sustained oxygen evolution. Two types of this anode material, dense Ti₄O₇ and porous Ti₄O₇, were tested. The dense anode showed a better performance. The anode stability is attributed to the formation of a protective TiO₂ layer on its surface. In situ periodic current reversal and ex situ H₂ reduction could be used for extending the lifetime of the anodes. The findings show that this material can be applied as a recyclable anode in molten CaCl₂. Si wires, films, and particles were deposited with this anode under different cathodic current densities. The prepared Si film exhibited ≈30–40 % of the photocurrent response of a commercial p‐type Si wafer, indicating potential use in photovoltaic cells.     

Characterization of nanoporous β-SiC fiber complex prepared by electrospinning and carbothermal reduction

The nanoporous β-silicon carbide (SiC) nano-sized fiber complex were made from precursors of various ratios with (SiO₂) as silicon source and polyacrylonitrile as carbon source by simple electrospinning method and economical carbothermal reduction. The prepared samples were characterized by SEM for surface shape, XRD for crystalline properties, TGA in air for oxygen resistance, and BET for porosity according to the precursor components (C/Si mol ratio). The samples with carbon ratio to silicon (C/Si) of five or more in the precursor showed the long fiber shape. Increasing the C/Si in the precursor solution tended to lead higher β-SiC crystalline and smaller crystallite size than low C/Si in the precursor solution because excess carbon could act as a dispersant and barrier to prevent neck growth or adhesion of SiC. The prepared samples have superior oxidation resistance as a whole. The increment of the C/Si leads to the increment of porosity. Also, it seems that the gaseous pore development of carbon during carbothermal reduction leads to mainly small pores (micro- or mesopores).     

锂离子电池Si@void@C复合材料的制备及其电化学性能

以纳米Si颗粒为核心,正硅酸四乙酯(TEOS)为SiO_2源,采用Stober法在Si表面包覆一层SiO_2,再以多巴胺为碳源,通过碳化处理将SiO_2表面的聚多巴胺层转化成碳层。最后,用HF刻蚀SiO_2并留下空隙,得到Si@void@C复合纳米颗粒。利用X射线衍射、扫描电镜、透射电镜和恒流充放电测试对材料的物相、微观形貌和电化学性能进行表征。结果表明,在0.1 A·g~(-1)电流密度下,Si@void@C负极材料充放电循环100次后充电比容量仍然有1 319.5 mAh·g~(-1),容量保持率为78.4%,表现出优异的电化学性能。     

Enhancement of water barrier properties and tribological performance of hybrid glass fiber/epoxy composites with inclusions of carbon and silica nanoparticles

Water barrier properties and tribological performance (hardness and wear behavior) of new hybrid nanocomposites under dry and wet conditions were investigated. The new fabricated hybrid nanocomposite laminates consist of epoxy reinforced with woven and nonwoven tissue glass fibers and two different types of nanoparticles, silica (SiO₂) and carbon black nanoparticles (C). These nanoparticles were incorporated into epoxy resin as a single nanoparticle (either SiO₂ or C) or combining SiO₂ and C nanoparticles simultaneously with different weight fractions. The results showed that addition of carbon nanoparticles with 0.5 and 1 wt% resulted in maximum reduction in water uptake by 28.55% and 21.66%, respectively, as compared with neat glass fiber reinforced epoxy composites. Addition of all studied types and contents of nanoparticles improves hardness in dry and wet conditions over unfilled fiber composites. Under dry conditions, maximum reduction of 47.26% in weight loss was obtained with specimens containing 1 wt% carbon nanoparticles; however, in wet conditions, weight loss was reduced by 17.525% for specimens containing 0.5 wt% carbon nanoparticles as compared with unfilled fiber composites. Diffusion coefficients for different types of the hybrid nanocomposites were computed using Fickian and Langmuir models of diffusion. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

晶种协同廉价有机模板导向合成高纯度MCM-49沸石

采用廉价低毒性的环己胺（CHA）作为有机模板剂,并合理添加少量MCM-49沸石晶种,在静态水热条件下成功合成了高纯度MCM-49沸石.研究了起始凝胶组成（如Al₂O₃/SiO₂,H₂O/SiO₂,CHA/SiO₂,晶种/SiO₂,Na₂O/SiO₂）、晶化温度和时间等因素对合成MCM-49沸石的影响.通过XRD、SEM、N₂吸附、固体²⁷Al和²⁹Si MAS NMR等手段表征产物,结果表明合成的MCM-49沸石具有良好的结晶度、均匀的晶体尺寸、高比表面积和纯的四配位Al³⁺物种.热重差热分析（TG-DTA）和固体¹³C MAS NMR表征结果证实CHA是作为模板剂填充在沸石产物的孔道内.这种合成MCM-49的方法具有廉价和低毒性的特点,对其产业应用有潜在的重要价值.     

TiO2颗粒在羟基表面的沉积行为及图案化

比较了3种具有羟基表面SiO2层的差异:紫外光照SAMs形成的羟基表面,紫外光照射前、照射后的羟基表面;用光照前后表面的差异,结合化学浴沉积技术在单晶硅基底上制得了TiO2微图案薄膜。系统考察了光源、硅片表面性质的变化、溶液等方面对图案生成的影响。实验表明TiO2沉积在未照区,电子和空穴动力学上的差异造成光照区表面正电荷增多,抑制了TiO2的沉积。该方法不需要光刻胶和自组装膜作为辅助模板,具有简单廉价的特点。     

Synthesis of Na-A and/or Na-X zeolite/porous carbon composites from carbonized rice husk

Na-A and/or Na-X zeolite/porous carbon composites were prepared under hydrothermal conditions by NaOH dissolution of silica first from carbonized rice husk followed by addition of NaAlO₂ and in situ crystallization of zeolites i.e., using a two-step process. When a one-step process was used, both Na-A and Na-X zeolites crystallized on the surface of carbon. Na-A or Na-X zeolite crystals were prepared on the porous carbonized rice husk at 90 °C for 2-6 h by changing the SiO₂/Al₂O₃, H₂O/Na₂O and Na₂O/SiO₂ molar ratios of precursors in the two-step process. The surface area and NH₄⁺-cation exchange capacity (CEC) of Na-A zeolite/porous carbon were found to be 171 m²/g and 506 meq/100 g, respectively, while those of Na-X zeolite/porous carbon composites were 676 m²/g and 317 meq/100 g, respectively. Na-A and Na-X zeolites are well-known microporous and hydrophilic materials while carbonized rice husk was found to be mesoporous (pores of ∼3.9 nm) and hydrophobic. These hybrid microporous-mesoporous and hydrophilic-hydrophobic composites are expected to be useful for decontamination of metal cations as well as organic contaminants simultaneously.     

Formation of carbon nanotubes from a silicon carbide/carbon composite

The reaction of a SiC/C composite powder in an arcing plasma forms carbon nanotubes in good yield. Besides carbon nanotubes, a Si/C composite composed of β SiC covered with a shell of graphite is formed. The graphitic carbon surface layers of the carbon shell of this composite reacts further to form carbon nanotubes when heated to 600 °C. This process seems highly effective since only a small overall low weight loss, indicative for a complete carbon shell oxidation is observed by thermal analysis. The formation of the carbon nanotubes from SiC is unlikely since no SiO₂ has been found when heating the SiC/C core shell composite to its reaction temperature of 600 °C under O₂. The CNTs formed are of good quality with 3 to 6 concentric walls and high aspect ratio. Occasionally even single walled carbon naotubes have been observed.     

镁热还原气相法白炭黑制备纳米硅及其电化学性能

以气相法白炭黑(FS)为Si前驱体,通过镁热还原工艺和对获得的NPs-Si进行SiOx和C复合包覆,制备出NPs-Si@SiOx@C纳米复合结构,将其用作锂电池负极进行电化学性能测试。研究结果表明:镁热还原过程分两步进行,即SiO_2与Mg先生成Mg2Si中间相,Mg2Si继续与SiO_2反应生成Si的反应路径;根据此规律镁热还原气相法白炭黑的Si转化率达87.9%。电化学性能测试中NPs-Si@SiOx@C负极在2.0 A·g-1的电流密度下有1 300 mAh·g-1的容量平台,1 000次循环后的放电比容量为964.2mAh·g-1,容量保持率达75%。     

Microemulsion‐Assisted Preparation of a Mesoporous Ferrihydrite/SiO2 Composite for the Efficient Removal of Formaldehyde from Air

Mesoporous ferrihydrite/SiO₂ composites were synthesized according to a water‐in‐oil microemulsion method and characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, nitrogen‐adsorption/desorption, and by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The as‐prepared porous ferrihydrite/SiO₂ composites showed an excellent adsorption performance for formaldehyde (HCHO) removal from indoor air at ambient temperature. It was found that the aging time during the synthesis had a significant impact on the pore structure, surface area, and HCHO adsorption of these materials. The ferrihydrite/SiO₂ composite that was aged for 3 h in the presence of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) exhibited a relatively high HCHO adsorption capacity, as well as good recyclability, which was attributed to a relatively large BET surface area, optimal pore size, a suitable Si/Fe atomic ratio, and a synergistic effect between ferrihydrite and SiO₂. This work not only demonstrates that porous ferrihydrite/SiO₂ composites can act as an efficient adsorbent toward HCHO, but suggests a new route for the rational design of cost‐effective and environmentally benign adsorbents with high performance for indoor air purification.     

Enhanced Thermal Stability in SiO2/Carbon Filler Derived from Rice Husk via Microwave Treatment for Electronic Packaging Application

Here we report the effect of microwave treatment on a silica–carbon (SiO₂ /C) filler derived from rice husk and the function of the microwave‐treated filler in an epoxy matrix for electronic packaging applications. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed improved thermal stability of the SiO₂ /C filler upon microwave treatment. X‐ray diffraction analysis indicated partial SiC formation after the microwave treatment. For packaging applications, compared to that of the pure epoxy polymer, the thermal conductivity of the epoxy–SiO₂ /C composite was improved by 178% at 40 wt % content of the microwave‐treated SiO₂ /C filler. Furthermore, an improvement of 149% in storage modulus and 17.6°C in glass transition temperature of the epoxy–SiO₂ /C composites was realized. The improvement in thermal stability of SiO₂ /C filler could be achieved via a simple microwave treatment, which in turn enhanced the thermal stability, thermal conduction, and thermomechanical strength of the electronic packaging materials.     

Preparation and properties of silylated PTFE/SiO2 organic–inorganic hybrids via sol–gel process

A study on poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) reinforced with tetraethoxysilanes (TEOS) derived SiO₂ is described. It included the manufacturing process of SiO₂‐reinforced PTFE and the effects of silylation agent on the properties of the hybrid material, such as porosity, hydrophobic, thermal resistance, dielectric and mechanical properties, and microstructure. PTFE/SiO₂ hybrids of 50 wt % SiO₂ loading were prepared via a sol–gel process and were shaped by a two‐roll milling machine. Trimethylchlorosilane and hexamethydisilazane were used as the silylation agents. Our results showed that the water absorption and dielectric loss of PTFE/SiO₂ hybrid had significantly improved with silylation agent. The silylation process replaced Si? OH with Si? CH₃ on the surface of the TEOS‐derived silica colloidal particle. The existence of trimethylsilyl [? Si(CH₃)₃] on the surface of the modified PTFE/SiO₂ hybrid was confirmed via infrared and solid‐state ²⁹Si magic‐angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectra. Nitrogen‐sorption techniques were used to characterize the modified and unmodified PTFE/SiO₂ hybrids. The microstructure of SiO₂ in the matrix was also evaluated with scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Our results showed that the silylated sol–gel‐derived PTFE/SiO₂ hybrids had exhibited high porosity (53.7%) with nanosize pores (10–40 nm) and nanosize colloidal particles (20–50 nm). This manifests itself as have the ultralow dielectric properties (D_k = 1.9 and D_f = 0.0021), low coefficient of thermal expansion (66.5 ppm/°C), high tensile modulus (141 MPa), excellent thermal resistance (T_d = 612 °C), and an increased hydrophobia (θ = 114°); moreover, the hydrophobic property of the PTFE/SiO₂ hybrid was thermally stable up to 400 °C. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 1789–1807, 2004     

Glow discharge polymerization of tetramethylsilane investigated by infrared spectroscopy and ESCA

The influence of operating conditions (W/FM parameter: W input energy of rf power; F flow rate of monomer; M molecular weight of monomer) on glow discharge polymerization of tetramethylsilane (TMS) was investigated by infrared spectroscopy and ESCA. Elemental analyses showed that the compositions of the polymers formed strongly depended on the level of the W/FM parameter, i.e., whether the W/FM value was more or less than 190 MJ/kg. The infrared spectra indicated that these polymers were composed of Si? H, Si? O, Si? C, Si? CH₃, and Si? CH₂ groups, and that there was no significant difference in structural features between polymers prepared at W/FM parameters of more or less than 190 MJ/kg. ESCA spectra (C_1s and Si_2p core-level spectra) showed that the polymers included carbonized carbon, aliphatic carbon Si? C, C? O, Si? O, and SiO₂ species, and that the sum of carbonized and aliphatic carbons reached more than 50%. Raising the W/FM value increased the formation of the carbonized carbon but did not influence the formation of Si units such as Si? C and Si? O groups. From this evidence the rupture of Si? CH₃ bonds in the polymer forming process is emphasized. The magnitude of the W/FM parameter may be related to the detachment of hydrogen from the aliphatic carbon units.     

A Versatile Iron–Tannin‐Framework Ink Coating Strategy to Fabricate Biomass‐Derived Iron Carbide/Fe‐N‐Carbon Catalysts for Efficient Oxygen Reduction

The conversion of biomass into valuable carbon composites as efficient non‐precious metal oxygen‐reduction electrocatalysts is attractive for the development of commercially viable polymer electrolyte membrane fuel‐cell technology. Herein, a versatile iron–tannin‐framework ink coating strategy is developed to fabricate cellulose‐derived Fe₃C/Fe‐N‐C catalysts using commercial filter paper, tissue, or cotton as a carbon source, an iron–tannin framework as an iron source, and dicyandiamide as a nitrogen source. The oxygen reduction performance of the resultant Fe₃C/Fe‐N‐C catalysts shows a high onset potential (i.e. 0.98 V vs the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE)), and large kinetic current density normalized to both geometric electrode area and mass of catalysts (6.4 mA cm^?2 and 32 mA mg^?1 at 0.80 V vs RHE) in alkaline condition. This method can even be used to prepare efficient catalysts using waste carbon sources, such as used polyurethane foam.     

Polymer Technology of Porous SiC Ceramics Using Milled SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> Fibers

The paper describes a developed polymer composition and a process for manufacturing highporous chemically pure silicon carbide ceramics from this composition, using milled industrial wastes of quartz fiber non-woven fabrics as the source of silicon dioxide, which is important as a rational utilization of these wastes. The necessity of pre-milling of the SiO₂ fibers was experimentally substantiated. Without this stage, the duration of treatment at 1400°C under dynamic vacuum considerably (≥12 h) increased, because of the non-uniform distribution of the components in the polymer composite. In the case of stoichiometric ratio of SiO₂ and carbon formed upon pyrolysis of the polymeric phenol binder, the obtained SiC ceramic contained a large amount of unreacted carbon. This indicaties that side reactions take place to give volatile silicon monoxide, which is distilled off from the reactor. The effects of the milling time of SiO₂ fibers and the carbothermal reduction temperature on the elemental and phase composition, density, and porosity of the obtained samples and the ultimate compressive strength were studied. Analysis of the experimental results served for optimization of the composition of the initial polymer composites. As a result, highly porous (83%) and relatively strong (ultimate compressive strength of 8.2MPa) SiC-ceramic samples free from unreacted carbon and silicon dioxide and other stubborn impurities were fabricated at 1400°C (dynamic vacuum, heat treatment for 4 h).