ZnO nanoparticles and nanorods as anode active materials were investigated by charge-discharge cycle measurements. The ZnO nanomaterials with larger specific surface area exhibited higher electrochemical activity than conventional ZnO particles. The discharge capacity delivered by ZnO nanorods exceeded 500 mA hg−1 until the 175th cycle. It also exhibited higher midpoint discharge voltage than conventional ZnO. The morphologies of ZnO had a significant effect on the electrochemical properties of the anodes. In the initial cycles, the morphologies of ZnO did not essentially change due to the extension effect, and the electrochemical performance of the electrodes was relatively stable. With increasing the cycles, according to the texture growth mechanism, the large flaky ZnO parallel to the substrate surface predominated to reduce the electrochemical performance. Due to the intensive extension effect, the growth mode of ZnO nanorods changed. The eventual morphology was erect small flaky ZnO crystals that suppressed the production of Zn dendrite and enhanced the capacity maintenance.

The friction and wear behavior of peak aged Cu-Cr-Zr alloys dry sliding against a brass counterface were investigated on a pinon-disk wear tester. The microstructure of the aged Cu-Cr-Zr alloy before and after wear tests was analyzed by transmission electron microscopy. The worn surfaces of the Cu-Cr-Zr alloys were studied by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results indicated that an appropriate aging treatment resulted in the formation of fine, dispersive and coherent precipitates in the Cu matrix and thus could improve the hardness and wear resistance of the Cu-Cr-Zr alloy. The wear rate of the aged Cu-Cr-Zr alloy increased monotonically with increase of the normal load. With increasing sliding speed, the wear rate of the peak aged Cu -Cr-Zr alloy decreased initially and then began to increase. After reaching the maximum wear rate at a speed of 0.445ms-1, the wear rate decreased again with further increasing in the sliding speed. Adhesive wear and abrasive wear were the dominant wear mechanisms under unlubricated conditions.

A copper matrix composite reinforced by in situ TiB2nanoparticle was prepared by reactions of B2O3, carbon and titanium in copper-titanium melt. The microstructure and mechanical and electrical properties of the as-drawn in situ composite were investigated. The results showed that the in situ-formed TiB2 particles, which had a size of about 50 nm, exhibited a homogenous dispersion in the copper matrix. Due to their reinforcement, the tensile strength and hardness of the in situ Cu-TiB2 composite significantly improved. Moreover, the as-drawn in situ composite had a high electrical conductivity.

Spinel LiMn2O4 materials were synthesized via sintering of a precursor which was obtained from the solution of the corresponding metal acetate by a spray-drying method. Following sintering at 600 C for 15h, the spinel LiMn2O4 particles that are formed are fine, narrowly distributed, and well crystallized. The synthesized material has excellent electrochemical properties as a cathode, delivering an initial discharge capacity of 137mA h/g and exhibiting good cycle stability.

The sealed Ni/MH batteries with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in the positive electrodes were assembled. The overall characteristics of Ni/MH batteries were investigated at different charge-discharge cycles at room temperature. The high-rate discharge performance of the Ni/MH battery was improved by the addition of CNTs in the positive electrode. Under high-rate discharge conditions, the batteries with CNTs added in the positive electrodes exhibited much better cycling stability, higher discharge voltage, and high-rate capability. The increase in internal resistance of the batteries with CNTs was lower than that of the batteries without CNTs during charge-discharge cycles. The addition of 0.5 wt.% CNTs was proved a desired amount to modify the batteries performance at the high discharge rates. Too much CNTs contributed no effect in the improvement of overall performance of the batteries.