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We report evidence for the formation of nitrogen-rich precious metal nanoparticles (Pt, Pd) prepared by reactive sputtering of the pure metal in a N2 plasma. The composition of the nanoparticles varies as a function of particle size and growth conditions. For the smallest particles the nitrogen content appears to be as high as 6.7 N atoms for each Pd atom or 5.9 N atoms for each Pt atom whereas bulk films have nominal compositions of Pt7.3N and Pd2.5N. The unusually large N content in the nanoparticles is balanced with H. The nanoparticles are metastable in air and moisture, slowly decomposing over several years. The catalytic properties of these N-rich nanoparticles were accessed by rotating disk electrode electrochemical studies, the liquid phase oxidation of benzyl alcohol, and gas phase CO oxidation, and support the experimental evidence for the materials composition.

An A/B/C triblock copolymer has been synthesized having potential applications as a self-contained nanoscale battery. A new organometallic compound was synthesized which serves as the anode. The polyelectrolyte block of the copolymer is an unsaturated polyether. The last block acts as the template to form metal oxide clusters and functions as the cathode. The triblock copolymer was synthesized by ring-opening metathesis polymerization using Grubbs's catalyst. GPC and NMR were used to monitor the polymerization. 1H and 13C NMR, FTIR, UV−vis, GPC with light scattering, and XPS were used to characterize the synthesized polymer.

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The advent of polymer electrolytes has provided a promising route to an all solid-state polymer battery. Such a battery would have greater safety, without potential discharge of liquid or gel electrolyte. Current battery configurations typically involve a metal anode, a solvent-plasticized polyelectrolyte, such as poly (ethylene oxide) (PEO), and a composite cathode. We have synthesized an A/B/C triblock copolymer which could have potential use as an all-solid state nanoscale polymer lithium battery. The polymeric battery was synthesized with an anode, electrolyte and cathode by synthesizing an A/B/C triblock copolymer whose microphase separation would form lamellar domains. These nanodomains contain cobalt oxide, a derivative of PEO synthesized by ring opening metathesis polymerization, and a spinel phase LiMn2O4 as the anode, electrolyte and cathode material, respectively. The first block contains cobalt oxide that stores lithium ion in a novel electrochemical reaction that allows use in a battery configuration. The second block is polyethylene oxide derived from an unsaturated crown ether, and is used for its high ionic conductivity. The third block contains LiMn2O4, which is currently being investigated as a potential cathode material because of its low toxicity and ease of preparation. The nanometer size domains in the battery can be used in unique applications in microelectronics. In addition, such size scale allows use of the battery in discrete circuits, reducing the amount of wiring necessary in conventional battery configurations.