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A lot of progress has been made in rechargeable lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology research in the last decade, even so, renewed developmental efforts must be pursued to better improve energy density, capacity retention and rate capability. This review discusses the role that one-dimensional (1D) nanomaterials can play towards development of next-generation LIBs. Electrode nanoengineering, interfacial kinetics and high-volume manufacturing are critical issues limiting energy density, electrochemical performance and material viability. These points are discussed, as are the advantages of deploying these nanomaterials in rechargeable LIB devices. Current data from literature is indicative of laboratory-scale success as these 1D nanomaterials display excellent capacity retention, high-rate capability and long cycle life emanating from high mechanical strength, resilience and short charge carrier diffusion distance. However, significant advances are required to translate these achievements into commercial scale deployment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first ever demonstration of using silane directly in the gas phase and molten gallium in a microwave plasma for bulk nucleation and growth of single-crystal quality silicon nanowires. Multiple nanowires nucleated and grew from micron- to millimetre-sized gallium droplets. The resulting nanowires were tens to hundreds of nanometres in diameter and were tens to hundreds of microns long. Transmission electron microscopy results confirmed the nanowires to be single crystalline, devoid of structural defects, and grown along the [inline image] direction. The as-synthesized silicon nanowires were sheathed with an ultrathin (<1 nm) non-uniform native oxide amorphous layer that could be directly used in the assembly of electronic and optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]