| Abstract: | The invention provides an inexpensive, scalable process for coating
materials with a film of a refractory metal. As an example, the immersion
process can comprise the deposition of a sacrificial zinc coating which
is galvanically displaced by the ether-mediated reduction of oxophilic
WCl.sub.6 to form a complex WO.sub.xCl.sub.y film, and subsequently
annealed to crystalline, metallic tungsten. The efficacy of this process
was demonstrated on a carbon foam electrode, showing a 50% decrease in
electrode resistance and significant gains in electrochemical
performance. This process enables voltage efficiency gains for electrodes
in batteries, redox flow batteries, and industrial processes where high
conductivity and chemical stability are paramount. |