Methods for forming an interconnected network of solid material and pores, with metal residing only at the air/solid interface of the interconnected network structure are described. In certain embodiments, nanoparticle decorated sacrificial particles can be used as sacrificial templates for the formation of a porous structure having an interconnected network of solid material and interconnected network of pores. The nanoparticles reside predominantly at the air/solid interface and allow further growth and accessibility of the nanoparticles at defined positions of the interconnected structure. SEM and TEM measurements reveal the formation of 3D interconnected porous structures with nanoparticles residing predominantly at the air/solid interface of the interconnected structure.

Methods for forming an interconnected network of solid material and pores, with metal residing only at the air/solid interface of the interconnected network structure are described. In certain embodiments, nanoparticle decorated sacrificial particles can be used as sacrificial templates for the formation of a porous structure having an interconnected network of solid material and interconnected network of pores. The nanoparticles reside predominantly at the air/solid interface and allow further growth and accessibility of the nanoparticles at defined positions of the interconnected structure. SEM and TEM measurements reveal the formation of 3D interconnected porous structures with nanoparticles residing predominantly at the air/solid interface of the interconnected structure.

Nanocages are formed by etching nanocubes. The nanocubes are added to an aqueous system having an amphiphilic lipid dissolved in an organic solvent (e.g. a hydrophobic alcohol) to form reverse micelles. As the water evaporates the micelles shrink as etching of the flat surface of the nanocubes occurs. In this fashion hollow nanocages are produced. In one embodiment, the nanocage is covalently attached to a polymer shell (e.g. a dextran shell).

Nanocages are formed by etching nanocubes. The nanocubes are added to an aqueous system having an amphiphilic lipid dissolved in an organic solvent (e.g. a hydrophobic alcohol) to form reverse micelles. As the water evaporates the micelles shrink as etching of the flat surface of the nanocubes occurs. In this fashion hollow nanocages are produced. In one embodiment, the nanocage is covalently attached to a polymer shell (e.g. a dextran shell).

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to semiconductor nanoparticles, metal-semiconductor hybrid structures, processes for producing semiconductor nanoparticles, processes for producing metal-semiconductor hybrid structures, and processes for producing conversion products. In an aspect is provided a process for producing a metal-semiconductor hybrid structure that includes introducing a first precursor comprising a metal from Group 11-Group 14 to an amine and an anion precursor to form a semiconductor nanoparticle comprising the Group 11-Group 14 metal; introducing a second precursor comprising a metal from Group 7-Group 11 to the semiconductor nanoparticle to form a metal-semiconductor mixture; and introducing the metal-semiconductor mixture to separation conditions to produce the metal-semiconductor hybrid structure. In another aspect is provided a metal-semiconductor hybrid structure that includes a first component comprising a metal from Group 11-Group 14 and an element from Group 15-Group 16; and a second component comprising a metal from Group 7-Group 11.

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to semiconductor nanoparticles, metal-semiconductor hybrid structures, processes for producing semiconductor nanoparticles, processes for producing metal-semiconductor hybrid structures, and processes for producing conversion products. In an aspect is provided a process for producing a metal-semiconductor hybrid structure that includes introducing a first precursor comprising a metal from Group 11-Group 14 to an amine and an anion precursor to form a semiconductor nanoparticle comprising the Group 11-Group 14 metal; introducing a second precursor comprising a metal from Group 7-Group 11 to the semiconductor nanoparticle to form a metal-semiconductor mixture; and introducing the metal-semiconductor mixture to separation conditions to produce the metal-semiconductor hybrid structure. In another aspect is provided a metal-semiconductor hybrid structure that includes a first component comprising a metal from Group 11-Group 14 and an element from Group 15-Group 16; and a second component comprising a metal from Group 7-Group 11.

A nanocomposite photocatalyst is provided. The nanocomposite photocatalyst contains a carbon nanomaterial made of amorphous carbon and graphitic carbon, metal oxide nanoparticles disposed on the carbon nanomaterial, and noble metal nanoparticles disposed on the metal oxide nanoparticles and/or the carbon nanomaterial. Also provided is a method of forming the nanocomposite photocatalyst and a method of photodegrading an organic pollutant in water using the nanocomposite photocatalyst and visible light irradiation.

A nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O) removal catalyst composite is provided, comprising a N.sub.2O removal catalytic material on a substrate, the catalytic material comprising a rhodium (Rh) component supported on a ceria-based support, wherein the catalyst composite has a H.sub.2-consumption peak of about 100° C. or less as measured by hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H.sub.2-TPR). Methods of making and using the same are also provided.

A nitrous oxide (N.sub.2O) removal catalyst composite is provided, comprising a N.sub.2O removal catalytic material on a substrate, the catalytic material comprising a rhodium (Rh) component supported on a ceria-based support, wherein the catalyst composite has a H.sub.2-consumption peak of about 100° C. or less as measured by hydrogen temperature-programmed reduction (H.sub.2-TPR). Methods of making and using the same are also provided.

The present invention disclosed an improved process for the preparation of bimetallic core-shell nanoparticles by using facile aqueous phase synthesis strategy and their application in catalysis such as selective hydrogenation of alkynes into alkenes or alkanes and CO hydrogenation to hydrocarbons.