The liquid-phase synthesis and electrochemical application of novel inorganic nanocomposites

The aim of this study is to investigate various liquid-phase syntheses of novel inorganic nanocomposites for electrochemical power sources. Lithium ion batteries and fuel cells are two typical kinds of electrochemical power sources in the consumer electronics market. Lithium ion batteries are currently one of the most popular energy storage devices. Direct methanol fuel cells also have much potential as next generation electrochemical power sources, especially for small electronic devices. Tin and Pt based nanocomposites are two types of inorganic materials studied in this work for use as alternative electrodes, as lithium ion battery anodes and as direct methanol fuel cell electrocatalysts, respectively. Different liquid-phase synthesis methods were employed to prepare these novel nanocomposites. Physical and electrochemical characterizations were carried out systematically on the as-prepared nanocomposites. All of the results show that these novel inorganic nanocomposite materials are unique and good substitutes for the anode materials in lithium ion batteries or as electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cells.