A facile and scalable method to prepare graphene-based amphiphilic Janus nanosheets with high efficiency utilizing the formation of hydrogen bonding to immobilize graphene oxide (GO) on the surfaces of starch microspheres. After selective functionalization of the exposed surface using alkylamine, amphiphilic Janus nanosheets (AJN) were obtained by releasing the nanosheets from the starch microspheres.

A facile and scalable method to prepare graphene-based amphiphilic Janus nanosheets with high efficiency utilizing the formation of hydrogen bonding to immobilize graphene oxide (GO) on the surfaces of starch microspheres. After selective functionalization of the exposed surface using alkylamine, amphiphilic Janus nanosheets (AJN) were obtained by releasing the nanosheets from the starch microspheres.

It has been found that certain silica/cellulose hybrid compositions can be incorporated into rubber formulations with excellent compatibility between the filler and the rubber being attained. These rubber formulations also offer excellent rubber performance characteristics for utilization in tires and other rubber products. These silica/cellulose compositions are made by (1) dispersing sodium silicate or an alkoxy silane into an aqueous cellulose slurry to make an aqueous cellulose dispersion; (2) maintaining the aqueous cellulose dispersion under agitation for a time which is sufficient to allow the sodium silicate or the alkoxy silane to react with the cellulose; (3) adding an acid to the cellulose dispersion in an amount which is sufficient to reduce the pH of the cellulose dispersion to no more than about 8 to produce the silica/cellulose hybrid; and (4) recovering the silica/cellulose hybrid from the water.

A high-strength high-modulus graphene/nylon-6 fiber and a preparation method thereof are provided. The fiber is obtained through processing modified graphene and caprolactam with in situ polymerization and high-speed melt spinning. A graphene/nylon-6 composite is provided, which is obtained through compositing the modified graphene, the caprolactam and an additive. Based on the composite, a graphene/nylon-6 fabric with a permanent far-infrared healthcare function and a graphene/nylon-6 fabric with an ultraviolet protective property are provided, whose far-infrared property and ultraviolet protective property will not be attenuated due to an increase of fabric washing times, having a great market potential.

A nanocomposite includes at least one polymer and metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed in the at least one polymer. Each polymer can have a number average molecular weight of at least 10000 grams/mole. The at least one polymer includes a first polymer including (meth)acrylic acid monomer units. The metal oxide nanoparticles are surface modified with a carboxylic acid silane surface modifying agent. An aqueous dispersion that can be used to make the nanocomposite and a method of making the nanocomposite is described.

A nanocomposite includes at least one polymer and metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed in the at least one polymer. Each polymer can have a number average molecular weight of at least 10000 grams/mole. The at least one polymer includes a first polymer including (meth)acrylic acid monomer units. The metal oxide nanoparticles are surface modified with a carboxylic acid silane surface modifying agent. An aqueous dispersion that can be used to make the nanocomposite and a method of making the nanocomposite is described.

The invention relates to nanohybrids that are gold nanorod J-aggregates having a broadened surface plasmonic resonance band, processes of making such gold nanorod J-aggregates and products comprising such gold nanorod J-aggregates. Such gold nanorod J-aggregates exhibit broad localized surface plasmonic reasonable range from 800 nm to 2000 nm.

A method for controlling the encapsulation efficiency and burst release of water soluble molecules from nanoparticle and microparticle formulations produced by the inverted Flash NanoPrecipitation (iFNP) process and subsequent processing steps is presented. The processing steps and materials used can be adjusted to tune the encapsulation efficiency and burst release of the encapsulated water-soluble material. The encapsulation efficiency of the soluble agent in the particles and the burst release of the soluble agent from the particles can be controlled by: (1) the copolymers used in the assembly or coating process, (2) the degree of crosslinking of the nanoparticle core, (3) the incorporation of small molecule or polymeric additives, and/or (4) the processing and release conditions employed.

A method for controlling the encapsulation efficiency and burst release of water soluble molecules from nanoparticle and microparticle formulations produced by the inverted Flash NanoPrecipitation (iFNP) process and subsequent processing steps is presented. The processing steps and materials used can be adjusted to tune the encapsulation efficiency and burst release of the encapsulated water-soluble material. The encapsulation efficiency of the soluble agent in the particles and the burst release of the soluble agent from the particles can be controlled by: (1) the copolymers used in the assembly or coating process, (2) the degree of crosslinking of the nanoparticle core, (3) the incorporation of small molecule or polymeric additives, and/or (4) the processing and release conditions employed.

Additive manufacturing processes featuring consolidation of thermoplastic particulates may form printed objects in a range of shapes. Nanoparticles disposed upon the outer surface of the thermoplastic particulates may improve flow performance of the thermoplastic particulates during additive manufacturing, but may lead to excessive porosity following consolidation. Excessive porosity may be detrimental for performance applications requiring high mechanical strength. A carboxylic acid-based sintering aid, particularly a metal carboxylate, may decrease porosity of consolidated parts following sintering without substantially increasing blocking in a powder bed. Particulate compositions suitable for additive manufacturing may comprise: a plurality of thermoplastic particulates comprising a carboxylic acid-based sintering aid admixed with a thermoplastic polymer, and a plurality of nanoparticles disposed upon an outer surface of the thermoplastic particulates.