Described herein are processes and apparatus for the large-scale synthesis of boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) by induction-coupled plasma (ICP). A boron-containing feedstock may be heated by ICP in the presence of nitrogen gas at an elevated pressure, to form vaporized boron. The vaporized boron may be cooled to form boron droplets, such as nanodroplets. Cooling may take place using a condenser, for example. BNNTs may then form downstream and can be harvested.

One or more techniques are disclosed for a method for functionalized a graphitic material comprising the steps of: 1) providing a graphitic material; 2) providing a first molecule comprising a first group, a spacer, and a second group; 3) providing a second molecule comprising a third group, a spacer, and a fourth group, wherein the third group is a different group from the first group; and 4) bonding the first molecule and the second molecule to the graphitic material. Also disclosed is a tunable material composition comprising the functionalized carbon nanotubes or functionalized graphene prepared by the methods described herein.

One or more techniques are disclosed for a method for functionalized a graphitic material comprising the steps of: 1) providing a graphitic material; 2) providing a first molecule comprising a first group, a spacer, and a second group; 3) providing a second molecule comprising a third group, a spacer, and a fourth group, wherein said third group is a different group from said first group; and 4) bonding the first molecule and the second molecule to the graphitic material. Also disclosed is a tunable material composition comprising the functionalized carbon nanotubes or functionalized graphene prepared by the methods described herein.

One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a catalyst for manufacturing carbon nanotubes, including a metal component represented by the following Chemical Formula 1:

Co.sub.x:[M1,Zr].sub.y:M2.sub.z[Chemical Formula 1] wherein Co represents cobalt or oxides or derivatives thereof, M1 represents at least one metal, or oxides or derivatives thereof, selected from Al, Ca, Si, Ti, and Mg, Zr represents zirconium, or oxides or derivatives thereof, M2 represents at least one metal, or oxides or derivatives thereof, selected from W, V, Mn, and Mo, x/y satisfies 0.2x/y2.6, and x/z satisfies 6x/z13.

A multiwalled carbon nanotube includes at least 2 carbon nanotube walls. The multiwalled carbon nanotube have an outer surface and at least a portion of an oxygen functional group is attached to the outer surface thereof. Up to 5 atomic percent of the multiwalled carbon nanotube surface is an oxygen functional group. The surface atomic ratio of carbon to oxygen is between 17:1 and 19:1. A photocatalysis process to produce hydrogen and at least one solid carbon nanostructure includes the steps of: applying light to saturated hydrocarbons in the presence of a metal particle supported metal oxide photocatalyst to produce at least hydrogen gas and at least one solid carbon nanostructure; separating the hydrogen from at least one solid carbon nanostructure; and collecting the separated hydrogen and the at least one solid carbon nanostructure.

The boron nitride nanomaterial of the present invention is a boron nitride nanomaterial comprising a boron nitride nanotube and a boron nitride nanosheet, and having a peak top of a Raman spectrum located at 1369 cm.sup.1 or more.

A conductive material dispersion, an electrode, and a secondary battery prepared using the conductive material dispersion are provided. The conductive material dispersion may include a carbon-based conductive material, a main dispersant, an auxiliary dispersant, and a non-aqueous solvent. The main dispersant may include a hydrogenated nitrile-based copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 100,000, and the auxiliary dispersant may include a compound containing methylcellulose as a main chain.

One or more techniques are disclosed for a method for functionalized a graphitic material comprising the steps of: 1) providing a graphitic material; 2) providing a first molecule comprising a first group, a spacer, and a second group; 3) providing a second molecule comprising a third group, a spacer, and a fourth group, wherein the third group is a different group from the first group; and 4) bonding the first molecule and the second molecule to the graphitic material. Also disclosed is a tunable material composition comprising the functionalized carbon nanotubes or functionalized graphene prepared by the methods described herein.

One or more techniques are disclosed for a method for functionalized a graphitic material comprising the steps of: 1) providing a graphitic material; 2) providing a first molecule comprising a first group, a spacer, and a second group; 3) providing a second molecule comprising a third group, a spacer, and a fourth group, wherein said third group is a different group from said first group; and 4) bonding the first molecule and the second molecule to the graphitic material. Also disclosed is a tunable material composition comprising the functionalized carbon nanotubes or functionalized graphene prepared by the methods described herein.

A confined silica/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite material, its preparation method, and application are provided. The preparation method includes the following steps: S1: dispersing multi-walled carbon nanotubes in a methyl-substituted benzene solvent and subjecting them to ultrasonication for 10 minutes at room temperature; S2: after the completion of ultrasonication, adding liquid silicon tetrachloride to the multi-walled carbon nanotube/xylene suspension and continuing ultrasonication for 10 minutes at room temperature; S3: heating the mixture in an oil bath to 145 C. and performing reflux; S4: after the reaction is complete, naturally cooling to room temperature, centrifuging, washing, and drying the obtained solid to obtain a dry sample, thereby obtaining the confined silica/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite material. The confined silica/multi-walled carbon nanotube composite material exhibits excellent rate capability and cycling stability, and has great application potential and industrial value.