Cornell University

Daehwan Cho

Yong Lak Joo

Nathaniel S Hansen

Kyoung Woo Kim

Alexander Naydich

Yong Seok Kim

Masakazu Kobayashi

Margaret W Frey

Chae Un Kim

SangHo Lee

SangGap Lee

Nikolas Hoepker

Mark W Tate

Meryem Oznur Pehlivaner Kara

Eduard Zhmayev

Provided herein are nanofibers and processes of preparing nanofibers. In some instances, the nanofibers are metal and/or ceramic nanofibers. In some embodiments, the nanofibers are high quality, high performance nanofibers, highly coherent nanofibers, highly continuous nanofibers, or the like. In some embodiments, the nanofibers have increased coherence, increased length, few voids and/or defects, and/or other advantageous characteristics. In some instances, the nanofibers are produced by electrospinning a fluid stock having a high loading of nanofiber precursor in the fluid stock. In some instances, the fluid stock comprises well mixed and/or uniformly distributed precursor in the fluid stock. In some instances, the fluid stock is converted into a nanofiber comprising few voids, few defects, long or tunable length, and the like.

Metal and ceramic nanofibers

Described herein are nanofibers and methods for making nanofibers that include any one or more of (a) a non-homogeneous charge density; (b) a plurality of regions of high charge density; and/or (c) charged nanoparticles or chargeable nanoparticles. In one aspect, the present invention fulfills a need for filtration media that are capable of both high performance (e.g., removal of particle sizes between 0.1 and 0.5 &#x3bc;m) with a low pressure drop, however the invention is not limited in this regard.

Charged nanofibers and methods for making

Provided herein are ceramic nanofibers and processes for preparing the same. In specific examples, provided herein are ceramic nanofiber mats for use as separators in batteries, particularly lithium ion batteries. In some embodiments, the separators described herein may include a nanofiber mat including at least one nanofiber having a continuous matrix material.

Ceramic nanofiber separators

Lithium ion batteries, electrodes, nanofibers, and methods for producing same are disclosed herein. Provided herein are batteries having (a) increased energy density; (b) decreased pulverization (structural disruption due to volume expansion during lithiation/de-lithiation processes); and/or (c) increased lifetime. In some embodiments described herein, using high throughput, water-based electrospinning process produces nanofibers of high energy capacity materials (e.g., ceramic) with nanostructures such as discrete crystal domains, mesopores, hollow cores, and the like; and such nanofibers providing reduced pulverization and increased charging rates when they are used in anodic or cathodic materials.

Lithium ion batteries comprising nanofibers

Charged nanofibers

Provided herein are ceramic nanofibers and processes for preparing the same. In specific examples, provided herein are ceramic nanofiber mats for use as separators in batteries, particularly lithium ion batteries. Provided herein is battery separator comprising a nanofiber mat, the nanofiber mat comprising at least one nanofiber, the at least one nanofiber comprising a continuous matrix of ceramic, the continuous matrix of ceramic being continuous along at least 10% of the length of the nanofiber.

Lithium-containing nanofibers, as well as processes for making the same, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments described herein, using high throughput (e.g., gas assisted and/or water based) electrospinning processes produce nanofibers of high energy capacity materials with continuous lithium-containing matrices or discrete crystal domains.

Lithium containing nanofibers

Provided herein are methods for forming nanofibers. The current disclosure provides ceramic nanofibers, morphology-controlled ceramic-polymer hybrid nanofibers, morphology-controlled ceramic nanofibers, core-sheath nanofibers and hollow core nanofibers using ceramic precursor materials and polymer materials which are combined and undergo electrospinning. The current disclosure provides for methods of forming these nanofibers at low temperatures such as room temperature and in the presence of oxygen and moisture wherein the ceramic precursor cures to a ceramic material during the electrospinning process. Also disclosed are the nanofibers prepared by the disclosed methods.

Ceramic-polymer hybrid nanostructures, methods for producing and applications thereof

Described herein are nanofibers and methods for making nanofibers that include any one or more of (a) a non-homogeneous charge density; (b) a plurality of regions of high charge density; and/or (c) charged nanoparticles or chargeable nanoparticles. In one aspect, the present invention fulfills a need for filtration media that are capable of both high performance (e.g., removal of particle sizes between 0.1 and 0.5 ?m) with a low pressure drop, however the invention is not limited in this regard.

Method for preparing a nanofiber or non-woven mat

Provided are conducting polymer nanofibers, methods of making conducting polymer nanofibers, and uses thereof. The conducting polymer nanofibers can be formed by, for example, electrospinning, force spinning, and centrifugal spinning using a spinning dope. The conducting polymer nanofibers can be used in devices, such as a radiation detecting device.

Method of making conducting polymer nanofibers

Provided herein are gas and/or temperature assisted electrospinning apparatus, processes, components and polymer nanofibers.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Daehwan Cho