No abstract

We investigated new potential materials, such as hydrogen storage and lithium rechargeable batteries, for application in the field of advanced energy conversion and storage. We were able to synthesize Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 nanotubes using heat treatment and an alkali-hydrothermal reaction through a simple structural rearrangement, and we examined their H 2 storage characteristics and suitability as electrode materials for application in lithium-ion batteries. The Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 nanotubes could store up to 0.7 wt % H 2 at ambient temperature and their reversible capacity was approximately 156 mAh/g at a rate of 0.1C.

Alumina nanotubes, nanofibers, and nanorods were synthesized through a new method based on a surfactant-driven hydrothermal process, but without adding any organic solvent. Our procedure provides a single-step, low-temperature route to different alumina nanostructures with thermal stability by varying the nature of surfactants.