Photoreduction of graphene oxide, by UV-generated ketyl radicals, to graphene. The photoreduction is versatile and can be carried out in solution, solid-state, and even in polymer composites. Reduction of graphene oxide can take place in various polymer matrixes. Methods for producing graphene-supported metal nanoparticles by photoreduction. Graphene oxide and a metal nanoparticle precursor are simultaneously reduced by the action of photogenerated ketyl radicals. Photoreduction is performed on polymer composite films in one embodiment.

A method for producing a shell catalyst which comprises, in the outer shell, one or more of the following metals: Pd, Pt, Ag and Au. Also the use of the shell catalyst produced using the method according to the invention for the production of vinyl acetate monomer, in the hydrogenation of hydrocarbons, in particular the selective hydrogenation of polyunsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, or in the oxidation of alcohols to ketones/aldehydes/carboxylic acids.

A method for producing a shell catalyst which comprises, in the outer shell, one or more of the following metals: Pd, Pt, Ag and Au. Also the use of the shell catalyst produced using the method according to the invention for the production of vinyl acetate monomer, in the hydrogenation of hydrocarbons, in particular the selective hydrogenation of polyunsaturated hydrocarbon compounds, or in the oxidation of alcohols to ketones/aldehydes/carboxylic acids.

Provided is a method for growing carbon nanotubes that enables the growth of high-density carbon nanotubes. A high frequency bias voltage is applied to a loading table on which a wafer W having a catalytic metal layer is mounted to generate a bias potential on the surface of the wafer W, and oxygen plasma is used to micronize the catalytic metal layer to form catalytic metal particles. Thereafter, hydrogen plasma is used to reduce the surface of the catalytic metal particles to form activated catalytic metal particles having an activated surface. By using each activated catalytic metal particles as a nucleus, carbon nanotubes are formed.

A process for producing polymer-supported metal nanoparticles involves confinement of metal nanoparticles in polymeric nanotubes or nanosheets in an aqueous environment using hydrophobic reactants. Metal nanoparticles supported in the polymeric nanotubes or nanosheets are substantially monodisperse and have an average particle size of 4 nm or less. The polymer-supported metal nanoparticles are useful in fuel cells, sensors, bioanalysis, biological labeling or semi-conductors, especially as catalysts.

A process for producing polymer-supported metal nanoparticles involves confinement of metal nanoparticles in polymeric nanotubes or nanosheets in an aqueous environment using hydrophobic reactants. Metal nanoparticles supported in the polymeric nanotubes or nanosheets are substantially monodisperse and have an average particle size of 4 nm or less. The polymer-supported metal nanoparticles are useful in fuel cells, sensors, bioanalysis, biological labeling or semi-conductors, especially as catalysts.

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 catalytic nanoparticle can include a nanodiamond core, a thin-layer polymeric film applied to an outer surface of the nanodiamond core, and a catalyst immobilized at an outer surface of the thin-layer polymeric film. The nanoparticles can also be used in connection with a transducer to form a sensor. A method of catalysis can include contacting the catalytic nanoparticle with a reactant in a reaction area. The reactant can be capable of forming a reaction product via a reaction catalyzed by the catalyst. The method of catalysis can also include facilitating a catalytic interaction between the catalytic nanoparticle and the reactant.

A catalytic nanoparticle can include a nanodiamond core, a thin-layer polymeric film applied to an outer surface of the nanodiamond core, and a catalyst immobilized at an outer surface of the thin-layer polymeric film. The nanoparticles can also be used in connection with a transducer to form a sensor. A method of catalysis can include contacting the catalytic nanoparticle with a reactant in a reaction area. The reactant can be capable of forming a reaction product via a reaction catalyzed by the catalyst. The method of catalysis can also include facilitating a catalytic interaction between the catalytic nanoparticle and the reactant.

The present disclosure provides for metal nanoparticles, such as gold nanoparticles that have six pointed areas so that the metal nanoparticle resembles a six-pointed star. The distance from opposing points of the six-pointed star is about 400 to 480 nanometers. The present disclosure also provides for a method of making the nanoparticle, where in an aspect, the method is a light-driven synthesis.