A new nanocomposite electrolyte was synthesized using a simple non-hydrolytic sol-gel route without specific treatment of the reagents. The nanocomposite ion conductor was prepared with citric acid, tetraethyl orthosilicate and ethylene glycol, forming polyester chains. The time-consuming drying step that is a necessary part of most chemical syntheses was not required in the preparation of the present nanocomposite electrolyte of the polyelectrolyte class, because only Li+ is mobile in the polymeric chain. The effects of the concentration of Li, SiO 2 and SnO2nanoparticles were investigated in terms of Li+ ionic conductivity. Conductivity measurements as a function of the metal oxide nanocrystal content in the nanocomposite revealed a significant increase in conductivity at approximately 5 and 10 wt % of nanoparticles. The new nanocomposite conductor proved to be fully amorphous at room temperature, with a vitreous transition temperature of approximately 228K (−45°C). The material is solid and transparent, displaying an ionic conductivity of 10−4to 10−5 (O.cm)−1at room temperature presenting excellent reproducibility of all these characteristics. Cyclic voltammetry measurements indicate that the hybrid electrolyte possesses outstanding electrochemical stability.

The specific capacitance of the carbon nanotube (CNT) electrode can be increased by using nanoporous alumina templates with the high pore density and the small and uniform pore diameter. The surface area of the CNTs was controlled and increased by preparing them with uniform diameters. The well-ordered nanoporous alumina templates were fabricated by a two-step anodization method. The cylindrical pore diameter, length, and density of the template utilized for the CNT growth was 53 ± 1 nm, 2 μm, and 3.1×1010 cm−2, respectively. The CNTs with uniform diameter of 44 ± 2 nm were grown on the porous alumina template as electrode materials for the electric double-layer capacitor (EDLC). The EDLC characteristic of the CNT electrodes was examined by measuring the capacitances from the cyclic voltammograms. The specific capacitance of the CNT electrodes can be increased to the value of 121 ± 5 F/g.

Nanocrystalline SnO2 thin films were synthesized by Chemical Vapor Deposition on Si(100) and Al2O3 substrates using bis(diethylamino)dimethylstannane(IV) [(CH3)2Sn(N(C2H5)2)2] as precursor. Film growth was performed at 400-500°C in an O2(H2O)+N2 atmosphere, with the aim of studying the effects of the synthesis conditions on the coating properties. The sample chemical composition and surface morphology were analyzed by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), while their structural features were investigated by Glancing Incidence X-ray Diffraction (GIXRD) and X-ray Reflectivity (XRR). In this paper, the attention is focused on the interplay between film nanostructure and morphology, with particular regard to the influence of the growth surface.

Nanometric particles of titania, exhibiting anatase, brookite or rutile polymorphs, were synthesized by thermohydrolysis of TiCl4 in aqueous medium. The adjustement of physico-chemical parameters (acidity, ionic strength, anions, temperature) allows to tune the crystalline structure, the size and the morphology of the particles. Brookite results from the precipitation of titanium in HCl, HBr or HNO3 whereas anatase is formed in H2SO4 medium. Adding salts in HCl medium leads to ionic strength or complexation effect. Varying the temperature of thermohydrolysis implies modification on yield, size and morphology of the particles.

Transport number measurements and impedance spectroscopy in controlled temperature and atmosphere were used to investigate the electrical properties of La2Mo2O9 sintered samples. These samples were prepared from nanocrystalline La2Mo2O9 powders as obtained from a new soft chemistry route involving the polymerisation of acrylamide. By means of the electromotive force method measurements, the sintered compound was found mainly oxygen conductor in the range of 400 °C-800 °C with oxide-ion transport number greater than 0.99. The effect of the oxygen partial pressure on the electrical conductivity of La2Mo2O9 was investigated by impedance spectroscopy from 1 to 10−22 atm, showing a highly stable conduction properties up to 10−17 atm at 800 °C.

Nafion, a perfluorosulfonate ionomer, was modified to increase its thermal stability and reduce its methanol permeability. Hybrid membranes of TiO2·SiO2/Nafion and TiO2·SiO2·P2O5/Nafion™ were prepared using an infiltration sol-gel method. Si(OC2H5)4 and Ti(OC4H9)4 were infiltrated into dry NafionTM membranes, followed by hydrolysis and condensation reactions in first HCl and then NH4OH solutions. The level of inorganic content was controlled by the infiltration time, incorporating up to 50 wt%. Solvent uptake, swelling, water content and proton conductivity were measured at room temperature. Hybrid membranes of TiO2·SiO2/Nafion with ∼30 wt% of infiltrated oxides showed a significantly lower methanol uptake of ∼20wt% and a swelling ratio of 1.15, as compared to those of unmodified NafionTM membrane, ∼60wt% for methanol uptake and 1.8 for swelling ratio. Proton conductivities for TiO2·SiO2/Nafion hybrid membranes decreased with increasing infiltrated oxides. However, infiltrated membranes treated in phosphoric acid solutions to increase the number of P-OH groups showed a six-fold increase in proton conductivity.