A process for the separation of electrolyte from the carbon in a solid carbon/electrolyte cathode product formed at the cathode during molten carbonate electrolysis. The processes allows for easy separation of the solid carbon product from the electrolyte without any observed detrimental effect on the structure and/or stability of the resulting solid carbon nanomaterial.

A type of composite material where the matrix material and additive are held together by covalently or non-covalently bound ligands is described. A particularly useful composite material covered by the present invention is a carbon nanotube-reinforced composite material where the matrix consists of a polymer, covalently attached to a linker, where said linker is non-covalently attached to the carbon nanotube. Methods for the preparation of such composite materials are provided.

A type of composite material where the matrix material and additive are held together by covalently or non-covalently bound ligands is described. A particularly useful composite material covered by the present invention is a carbon nanotube-reinforced composite material where the matrix consists of a polymer, covalently attached to a linker, where said linker is non-covalently attached to the carbon nanotube. Methods for the preparation of such composite materials are provided.

A fullerene-metal nanocomposite is described that comprises a metal nanoparticle bonded to a functionalized fullerene compound. A useful method of making a fullerene-metal nanocomposite is also described. The method consists essentially of the steps of mixing a solution of metal salt or metal ion with a functionalized fullerene compound, and purifying the fullerene-metal nanocomposite from the solution. Also described are antimicrobial surfaces, comprising a substrate surface and a coating on the substrate surface comprising a fullerene-metal nanocomposite that includes a metal nanoparticle bonded to a functionalized fullerene compound.

A fullerene-metal nanocomposite is described that comprises a metal nanoparticle bonded to a functionalized fullerene compound. A useful method of making a fullerene-metal nanocomposite is also described. The method consists essentially of the steps of mixing a solution of metal salt or metal ion with a functionalized fullerene compound, and purifying the fullerene-metal nanocomposite from the solution. Also described are antimicrobial surfaces, comprising a substrate surface and a coating on the substrate surface comprising a fullerene-metal nanocomposite that includes a metal nanoparticle bonded to a functionalized fullerene compound.

A cross-linked structure of a carbon material is excellent in mechanical strength, such as tensile strength. The carbon materials such as carbon nanotube, graphite, fullerene, and carbon nanocoil, are cross-linked with each other. The carbon materials are cross-linked through a linking group derived from a nucleophilic compound having two or more nucleophilic groups in the molecule.

A cross-linked structure of a carbon material is excellent in mechanical strength, such as tensile strength. The carbon materials such as carbon nanotube, graphite, fullerene, and carbon nanocoil, are cross-linked with each other. The carbon materials are cross-linked through a linking group derived from a nucleophilic compound having two or more nucleophilic groups in the molecule.

This light detecting element has a reduced dark current and improved external quantum efficiency. The light detecting element includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an active layer that is provided between said positive electrode and said negative electrode, and that contains a p-type semiconductor material and an n-type semiconductor material. The thickness of the active layer is at least 800 nm. The value obtained by subtracting the absolute value of the LUMO of the n-type semiconductor material from the work function of the surface in contact with the negative electrode side surface of the active layer is 0.0 to 0.5 eV. The absolute value of the LUMO of the n-type semiconductor material is 2.0 to 10.0 eV.

This light detecting element has a reduced dark current and improved external quantum efficiency. The light detecting element includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an active layer that is provided between said positive electrode and said negative electrode, and that contains a p-type semiconductor material and an n-type semiconductor material. The thickness of the active layer is at least 800 nm. The value obtained by subtracting the absolute value of the LUMO of the n-type semiconductor material from the work function of the surface in contact with the negative electrode side surface of the active layer is 0.0 to 0.5 eV. The absolute value of the LUMO of the n-type semiconductor material is 2.0 to 10.0 eV.

Iodine doped bismuthyl carbonate nanosheet and molybdenum disulfide modified carbon nanofiber composites, preparation method and its application in wastewater treatment are disclosed. Bismuth citrate and sodium carbonate as precursors, sodium carbonate as a precipitating agent, dispersed in a mixed solution of water and ethylene glycol, sodium iodide as a iodine source, nano carbon fiber membrane act as the carrier, to synthesis carbon fiber membrane that modified by iodine-doped Bi.sub.2O.sub.2CO.sub.3 nanosheets; then sodium molybdate and thioacetamide as precursors, dispersed in water to react to obtain iodine doped bismuthyl carbonate nanosheet and molybdenum disulfide modified carbon nanofiber composites. The composite material synthesized through a series of steps exhibit excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of Rhodamine B and can be recycled for many times. And this invention has the advantages of simple preparation process, easy recovery and multiple use, etc., and has industrial application prospect in water pollution treatment.