Carbon coating for enhancing the functionalities of materials

Carbon coating was reviewed by emphasizing its advantages on the recently developed photocatalyst particles and electrode materials for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, in addition to various metals and metal oxides. Carbon coating on photocatalytic TiO2 and cathode material LiFePO4 can suppress their grain growth, which results in efficient utilization improvement of the active materials, and also increase electrical conductivity of the materials. It makes to be possible to prepare new functional materials, visible light active TinO2-1 and W18O49, under a mild condition. It is also effective to improve the performance of ceramics and metals, such as anode material for lithium-ion batteries, roofing tiles, catalyst supports, heart valves, etc. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.