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Laser-based methodologies for synthesis, reduction, modification and assembly of graphene-based materials are highly demanded for energy-related electrodes and devices for portable electronics. Laser technologies for graphene synthesis and modification exhibit several advantages when compared to alternative methods. They are fast, low-cost and energy saving, allowing selective heating and programmable processing, with controlled manipulation over the main experimental parameters. In this review, we summarize the most recent studies on laser-assisted synthesis of graphene-based materials, as well as their modification and application as electrodes for supercapacitor and battery applications. After a brief introduction to the physical properties of graphene and a discussion of the different types of laser processing operations, the practical uses of laser techniques for the fabrication of electrode materials are discussed in detail. Finally, the review is concluded with a brief discussion of some of the outstanding problems and possible directions for research in the area of laser-based graphene materials for energy storage devices.

Solid sulfide electrolytes are key materials in all-solid-state lithium batteries because of their high lithium-ion conductivity and deformability, which enable the lithium-ion path to be connected between the material’s grain boundaries under pressure near room temperature. However, sulfur species are moisture-sensitive and exhibit high vapour pressures; therefore, syntheses of sulfide electrolytes need to be carefully designed. Liquid-phase reactions can be performed at low temperatures in controlled atmospheres, opening up the prospect of scalable processes for the preparation of sulfide electrolytes. Here, we review liquid-phase syntheses for the preparation of sulfide-based solid electrolytes and composites of electrolytes and electrodes, and we compare the charge–discharge performances of the all-solid-state lithium batteries using these components.

Solid sulfide electrolytes are key materials in all-solid-state lithium batteries because of their high lithium-ion conductivity and deformability, which enable the lithium-ion path to be connected between the material’s grain boundaries under pressure near room temperature. However, sulfur species are moisture-sensitive and exhibit high vapour pressures; therefore, syntheses of sulfide electrolytes need to be carefully designed. Liquid-phase reactions can be performed at low temperatures in controlled atmospheres, opening up the prospect of scalable processes for the preparation of sulfide electrolytes. Here, we review liquid-phase syntheses for the preparation of sulfide-based solid electrolytes and composites of electrolytes and electrodes, and we compare the charge–discharge performances of the all-solid-state lithium batteries using these components.

The significance of graphene and its two-dimensional (2D) analogous inorganic layered materials especially as hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) for “clean energy” applications became apparent over the last few years due to their extraordinary properties. In this review article we study the current progress and selected challenges in the syntheses of graphene, h-BN and MoS2 including energy storage applications as supercapacitors and batteries. Various substrates/catalysts (metals/insulator/semiconducting) have been used to obtain graphene, h-BN and MoS2 using different kinds of precursors. The most widespread methods for synthesis of graphene, h-BN and MoS2 layers are chemical vapor deposition (CVD), plasma-enhanced CVD, hydro/solvothermal methods, liquid phase exfoliation, physical methods etc. Current research has shown that graphene, h-BN and MoS2 layered materials modified with metal oxide can have an insightful influence on the performance of energy storage devices as supercapacitors and batteries. This review article also contains the discussion on the opportunities and perspectives of these materials (graphene, h-BN and MoS2) in the energy storage fields. We expect that this written review article including recent research on energy storage will help in generating new insights for further development and practical applications of graphene, h-BN and MoS2 layers based materials.

Lithium-ion conductive Li6PS5Br is prepared using ultrasonication of Li2S, P2S5 and LiBr in ethyl propionate-ethanol solution and subsequent heating at 453 K. The main phase of the synthesized product is Li6PS5Br and its lithium ion conductivity is 3.4 x 10(-5) S cm(-1) at room temperature. The cathode composite of LiCo1/3Ni1/3Mn1/3O2, Li6PS5Br and vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF) is prepared via ultrasonication of the Li6PS5Br precursor solution containing LiCo1/3Ni1/3Mn1/3O2 and VGCF, and the all-solid-state lithium battery using this cathode composite is fabricated. The cell exhibits the discharge capacity of 109 mAh g(-1) for the first cycle and its capacity of 87 mAh g(-1) after 10 cycles.

Lithium-ion conductive Li6PS5Br is prepared using ultrasonication of Li2S, P2S5 and LiBr in ethyl propionate-ethanol solution and subsequent heating at 453 K. The main phase of the synthesized product is Li6PS5Br and its lithium ion conductivity is 3.4 x 10(-5) S cm(-1) at room temperature. The cathode composite of LiCo1/3Ni1/3Mn1/3O2, Li6PS5Br and vapor grown carbon fiber (VGCF) is prepared via ultrasonication of the Li6PS5Br precursor solution containing LiCo1/3Ni1/3Mn1/3O2 and VGCF, and the all-solid-state lithium battery using this cathode composite is fabricated. The cell exhibits the discharge capacity of 109 mAh g(-1) for the first cycle and its capacity of 87 mAh g(-1) after 10 cycles.

Non-crystalline, transparent methylsilsesquioxane–titania hybrid films for application in micropatterning were prepared from methyltriethoxysilane and titanium tetrabutoxide by the sol–gel method. The hybrid films were heat-treated at 100 8C for 1 h and then irradiated with UV light using an ultrahigh-pressure mercury lamp. The refractive index of the film increased as the amount of incorporated TiO2 increased. No changes in hardness were observed for the films lacking TiO2 during UV irradiation, whereas adding a small amount of TiO2 caused the hardness to increase significantly following UV irradiation. These changes in the physical properties of the films with UV irradiation were caused by the cleavage of Si–C bonds in the films induced by the photocatalytic effect of TiO2.On the basis of the changes in surface profiles, and optical, chemical, and mechanical properties induced by UV irradiation, it is concluded that the methylsilsesquioxane–titania films are promising for micropatterning by photolithography.

The influence of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation on vinylsilsesquioxane (ViSiO3/2) films was investigated using a nanoindentation technique, and the structural changes were analyzed. Solid-state 13C cross-polarization magic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectra of the films confirmed the polymerization of C=C bonds and formation of a C­C bridge structure upon UV irradiation. Since the vinyl group is a photosensitive organic component with a short organic chain, it is expected to show a large improvement in mechanical properties as a result of the formation of an organic network under the influence of UV irradiation. It is shown that varying the intensity of the UV irradiation leads to changes in the hardness and elasticity. The irradiation energy was found to determine the mechanical properties of the ViSiO3/2 films, regardless of the effects of different UV intensities on the hybrid films.

Sol­gel derived phenylsilsesquioxane (PhSiO3/2)­methylsilsesquioxane (MeSiO3/2) films were prepared on soda-lime-silicate (SLS) glass substrates by dropping and spreading method. The mechanical properties of the pure MeSiO3/2 and 20PhSiO3/2· 80MeSiO3/2 (inmol%) films were measured as a function of heat treatment times and temperatures using a nanoindentation test with a Berkovich indenter. The relative residual depth (²r)offilms decreased and the film hardness (HM)significantly increased with increasing heat treatment times and temperatures. The mechanical properties of the films well reflect the changes in the chemical structures and the evolution of siloxane networks with the heat treatment.

Spherical polyphenylsilsesquioxane particles were prepared by a two-step acid-base catalyzed sol-gel process, in which various amounts of ethanol were used as a solvent to vary the concentration of phenyltriethoxysilane (PhSi(OEt)3) used as a starting alkoxide. The decrease in the PhSi(OEt)3 concentration led to the decrease in the average molecular weight and glass transition temperature of the polyphenylsilsesquioxanes. Thus, the change of the PhSi(OEt)3 concentration in the preparation of polyphenylsilsesquioxane particles by the two-step acid-base catalyzed sol-gel process is an effective means to control the glass transition temperature of the particles.

The effects of the addition of polyethylene glycol(PEG) on the formation of gel-derived glass films in the SiO2-TiO2 system were studied, aimed at their application to the optical memory disks. The viscosity of the as-prepared sols increased almost linearly with increasing PEG content. The increase in viscosity of the sols during the storage was retarded with decreasing molecular weight of PEG added and with increasing amount of PEG added. The viscosity increase of the sols during the storage, however, showed a similar temperature dependence, i.e. almost the same apparent activation energy was obtained, in the sols containing different amounts of PEG. These findings indicate that PEG added to the SiO2-TiO2 sols scarcely reacts with the hydrolyzed inorganic species. The hardness of the resultant PEG-containing gel films greatly decreased with increasing PEG content. The gel films containing PEG of the smaller average molecular weight showed the higher hardness and the steeper increase in hardness with increasing the heat-treatment temperature than those containing PEG of the larger average molecular weight. For a high performance in the fine patterning process and densification of the resultant patterned films, PEG of the smaller amount and the smaller molecular weight is favorable, provided the PEG-containing gel films are initially soft enough to emboss fine patterns by pressing a stamper. Incorporated PEG in the Sio2-TiO2 gel films decomposed completely at temperatures over 300 deg C and had a very slight influence on chemical bondings in the resultant films., This articles is from 'Sol-Gel Optics: Proceedings SPIE-The International Society for Optical Engineering Held in San Diego, California on 11-13 July 1990. Volume 1328, AD-A249 986, p71-79. See also Part 1, AD-P