We developed two-step solution-phase reactions to form hybrid materials of Mn3O4 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets for lithium ion battery applications. Mn3O4 nanoparticles grown selectively on RGO sheets over free particle growth in solution allowed for the electrically insulating Mn3O4 nanoparticles wired up to a current collector through the underlying conducting graphene network. The Mn3O4 nanoparticles formed on RGO show a high specific capacity up to ~900mAh/g near its theoretical capacity with good rate capability and cycling stability, owing to the intimate interactions between the graphene substrates and the Mn3O4 nanoparticles grown atop. The Mn3O4/RGO hybrid could be a promising candidate material for high-capacity, low-cost, and environmentally friendly anode for lithium ion batteries. Our growth-on-graphene approach should offer a new technique for design and synthesis of battery electrodes based on highly insulating materials.

Mn3O4-Graphene Hybrid as a High Capacity Anode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries

https://cyberleninka.org/article/n/768408.pdf

Mechanical properties of graphene and graphene-based nanocomposites

Synthesis methods for nanosized hydroxyapatite with diverse structures.

Graphene, a one-atom layer of graphite, possesses a unique two-dimensional structure and excellent mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties. Thus, it has been regarded as an important component for making various functional composite materials. Graphene can be prepared through physical, chemical and electrochemical approaches. Among them, chemical methods were tested to be effective for producing chemically converted graphene (CCG) from various precursors (such as graphite, carbon nanotubes, and polymers) in large scale and at low costs. Therefore, CCG is more suitable for synthesizing high-performance graphene based composites. In this progress report, we review the recent advancements in the studies of the composites of CCG and small molecules, polymers, inorganic nanoparticles or other carbon nanomaterials. The methodology for preparing CCG and its composites has been summarized. The applications of CCG-based functional composite materials are also discussed.

Functional Composite Materials Based on Chemically Converted Graphene

Solution combustion is an exciting phenomenon, which involves propagation of self-sustained exothermic reactions along an aqueous or sol–gel media. This process allows for the synthesis of a variety of nanoscale materials, including oxides, metals, alloys, and sulfides. This Review focuses on the analysis of new approaches and results in the field of solution combustion synthesis (SCS) obtained during recent years. Thermodynamics and kinetics of reactive solutions used in different chemical routes are considered, and the role of process parameters is discussed, emphasizing the chemical mechanisms that are responsible for rapid self-sustained combustion reactions. The basic principles for controlling the composition, structure, and nanostructure of SCS products, and routes to regulate the size and morphology of the nanoscale materials are also reviewed. Recently developed systems that lead to the formation of novel materials and unique structures (e.g., thin films and two-dimensional crystals) with unusual...

Solution Combustion Synthesis of Nanoscale Materials

The catalysts, Ti0.9M0.1O2-δ (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu), were synthesized in anatase phase by solution combustion. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO with NH3 was investigated over these catalysts. The reaction occurred at the lowest temperature over Ti0.9Mn0.1O2-δ, but the selectivity for N2 was highest over Ti0.9Fe0.1O2-δ. Therefore, both Mn and Fe were substituted in TiO2 (Ti0.9Mn0.05Fe0.05O2-δ). The reaction occurred at low temperature with a high selectivity over this catalyst. In order to understand the reaction mechanism and the nature of the active sites, temperature programmed desorption (TPD) of NH3 and hydrogen uptake studies were carried out. The relation between the Lewis acid sites and SCR window and the relation between Bronsted acid sites and low temperature was established. The order of the SCR reaction with respect to NO, NH3, and O2 was also investigated. It was also shown that the N2 selectivity of the SCR reaction has a strong inverse correlation with the oxidation of ammonia.

Low-Temperature Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO with NH3 over Ti0.9M0.1O2-δ (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu)

Controlled synthesis of plate-shaped hydroxyapatite and implications for the morphology of the apatite phase in bone.

We present the design of a concentric tube (CT) reactor for roll-to-roll chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on flexible substrates, and its application to continuous production of graphene on copper foil. In the CTCVD reactor, the thin foil substrate is helically wrapped around the inner tube, and translates through the gap between the concentric tubes. We use a bench-scale prototype machine to synthesize graphene on copper substrates at translation speeds varying from 25 mm/min to 500 mm/min, and investigate the influence of process parameters on the uniformity and coverage of graphene on a continuously moving foil. At lower speeds, high-quality monolayer graphene is formed; at higher speeds, rapid nucleation of small graphene domains is observed, yet coalescence is prevented by the limited residence time in the CTCVD system. We show that a smooth isothermal transition between the reducing and carbon-containing atmospheres, enabled by injection of the carbon feedstock via radial holes in the inner tube, is essential to high-quality roll-to-roll graphene CVD. We discuss how the foil quality and microstructure limit the uniformity of graphene over macroscopic dimensions. We conclude by discussing means of scaling and reconfiguring the CTCVD design based on general requirements for 2-D materials manufacturing.

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High-speed roll-to-roll manufacturing of graphene using a concentric tube CVD reactor

Mechanical properties and anisotropy in hydroxyapatite single crystals

The control of shapes of nanocrystals is crucial for using them as building blocks for various applications. In this paper, we present a critical overview of the issues involved in shape-controlled...

B. Viswanath

Papers

Low-Temperature Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO with NH3 over Ti0.9M0.1O2-δ (M = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu)

Controlled synthesis of plate-shaped hydroxyapatite and implications for the morphology of the apatite phase in bone.

High-speed roll-to-roll manufacturing of graphene using a concentric tube CVD reactor

Mechanical properties and anisotropy in hydroxyapatite single crystals

Mechanistic Aspects of Shape Selection and Symmetry Breaking during Nanostructure Growth by Wet Chemical Methods