University of Michigan

Eleni Temeche

Richard M Laine

Xinyu Zhang

Mengjie Yu

In various aspects, methods of making a silicon carbide or silicon nitride from rice hull ash (RHA) byproduct are provided. A treated silica depleted rice hull ash product (SDRHA) comprising silicon oxide at ≤about 65% by weight and carbon ≥about 35% by weight may be heated in an environment free of any additional carbon sources, but in an inert atmosphere, having a temperature of ≥about 1,200° C. to ≤about 1,700° C. for a carbothermal reaction that forms a product (e.g., nanocomposite product) comprising at least one of silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (SiN), and silicon oxynitride (SiNO or non-stoichiometric SiNO, where x ranges from greater than 0 to less than 4). A negative electroactive material is also provided that includes silicon oxynitride (SiNO), which may be used in a lithium ion battery.

Methods of adjusting carbon and silica content in rice hull ash (RHA) byproducts to control carbothermal reduction forming nanostructured silicon carbide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride nanocomposites

A method of synthesizing a precursor for making a polymer, glass, or ceramic material is provided. The method includes reacting OPClwith NHor MNH, where M is Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, or combinations thereof, to form O═P(NH2). The method then includes either: (i) reacting the O═P(NH)with M1NH, where M1 is Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, or combinations thereof, to form the precursor; or (ii) heating the O═P(NH)to form a branched or cyclomeric compound, and reacting the branched or cyclomeric compound with M1NH, where M1 is Li, Na, K, Mg, Ca, Ba, or combinations thereof, to form the precursor. The precursor is an oligomer or a polymer. Uses for the precursor and the polymer, glass, or ceramic material as binders, sintering aids, adhesives, and electrolytes in battery components are also provided.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Eleni Temeche