Formation and modifications of ceramic nanowires and their use in functional materials

Abstract

A catalyst-free synthesis method for the formation of a metalorganic compound comprising a desired (first) metal may include, for example, selecting another (second) metal and an organic solvent, with the second metal being selected to (i) be more reactive with respect to the organic solvent than the first metal and (ii) form, upon exposure of the second metal to the organic solvent, a reaction by-product that is more soluble in the organic solvent than the metalorganic compound. An alloy comprising the first metal and the second metal may be first produced (e.g., formed or otherwise obtained) and then treated with the organic solvent in a liquid phase or a vapor phase to form a mixture comprising (i) the reaction by-product comprising the second metal and (ii) the metalorganic compound comprising the first metal. The metalorganic compound may then be separated from the mixture in the form of a solid.

1 . A device, comprising:
 a material structure comprising one or more elongated particles included therein, the one or more one dimensional (1D) elongated particles each comprising at least one metal and each exhibiting a diameter in the range of about 2 nm to about 10 microns, a length in the range of about 50 nm to about 50 mm, and a corresponding diameter-to-length aspect ratio in the range of about 1:4 to about 1:10,000,000, wherein the one or more 1D elongated particles each comprise one or more pores.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more pores comprise one or more closed internal pores. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more one 1D elongated particles comprise one or more 1D ceramic elongated particles. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more pores is filled with a filler material. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a microstructure of the one or more 1D elongated particles is amorphous, nanocrystalline or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an average diameter of the one or more 1D elongated particles is below around 1 micron. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein electrical separation of the material structure is tuned or reinforced by the one or more 1D elongated particles. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 ,
 wherein the device is an electrochemical energy storage device, and   wherein the material structure is a separator between an anode and a cathode of the electrochemical energy storage device.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein electrical generation of the material structure is tuned or reinforced by the one or more 1D elongated particles. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the device is a solar cell. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein light generation of the material structure is tuned or reinforced by the one or more 1D elongated particles. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the device is a light emitting diode (LED). 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein mechanical reinforcement or scratch resistance of the material structure is tuned or reinforced by the one or more 1D elongated particles. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , wherein the material structure comprises a transparent inorganic glass, a transparent polymer, a biocompatible material, a metal, a membrane, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a manner in which light is affected by the material structure is tuned or reinforced by the one or more 1D elongated particles. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 ,
 wherein the material structure further comprises a transparent inorganic glass or a transparent polymer or a metal, and wherein the device comprises transparent armor, a lens, a window, a bulb, jewelry, a watch, glasses, a mirror, a fiber-optic cable, a screen, a windshield, a display, or any combination thereof.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the material structure further comprises a color additive. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one metal includes a metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Cr, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Ta, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, Al, Zn, Cd, In, Sn, Sb, Bi, P, La, Ce, Ca, Mg, Sr, and Be. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more elongated particles comprise a metal oxide or fluoride or oxy-fluoride or nitride or oxy-nitride or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 19 ,
 wherein the metal oxide comprises a surface on which a coating layer is deposited, or   wherein the metal oxide comprises a surface on which a precursor of the coating layer is deposited.   
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 20 , wherein the coating layer is a metal, a polymer, or a ceramic material. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 19 , wherein the one or more elongated particles are part of a porous oxide membrane or body. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the porous oxide membrane or body is infiltrated with a filler material. 
     
     
         24 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the filler material comprises a metal. 
     
     
         25 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the filler material comprises a glass. 
     
     
         26 . The device of  claim 23 , wherein the filler material comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         27 . The device of  claim 22 , wherein the porous oxide membrane or body comprises a surface on which a polymer layer is deposited. 
     
     
         28 . The device of  claim 27 , wherein the polymer layer closes at least one pore of the porous oxide membrane or body to prevent ion transport at temperatures above a threshold temperature in the range of about 70° C. to about 130° C. 
     
     
         29 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more elongated particles comprise two or more elongated particles that are at least partially bonded to each other. 
     
     
         30 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more elongated particles comprise a membrane or body.