The present invention is a method for removing sulfur from liquid hydrocarbon feedstocks and for performing hydrogenation reactions in sulfur-contaminated feedstocks, including the hydrogenation of naphthalene in the presence of sulfur compounds, using catalysts or adsorbents comprising metal oxide nanowires decorated with reduced catalytically-active metal particles. In a preferred embodiment, the adsorbent comprises zinc oxide nanowires decorated with catalytically-active metals selected from nickel, cobalt, molybdenum, platinum, palladium, copper, oxides thereof, alloys thereof, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the sulfur is removed through a desulfurization process without an external hydrogen supply. The process is effective for the removal of sulfur from diesel fuels and liquid fuel streams, and for deep desulfurization of natural gas streams. The process is also effective for the selective hydrogenation of naphthalene to tetralin in the presence of sulfur compounds.

An apparatus for capturing a water content from a water containing gas, the apparatus comprising: a housing having an inlet into which the water containing gas can flow; a water adsorbent located in the housing, the water adsorbent comprising at least one water adsorbent metal organic framework composite capable of adsorbing a water content from the water containing gas; and a water desorption arrangement in contact with and/or surrounding the water adsorbent, the water desorption arrangement being selectively operable between (i) a deactivated state, and (ii) an activated state in which the arrangement is configured to apply heat, a reduced pressure or a combination thereof to the water adsorbent to desorb a water content from the water adsorbent.

A process for etching a substrate comprising polycrystalline silicon to form silicon nanostructures includes depositing metal on top of the substrate and contacting the metallized substrate with an etchant aqueous solution comprising about 2 to about 49 weight percent HF and an oxidizing agent.

Particulate material comprising rough mesoporous hollow nanoparticles. The rough mesoporous hollow nanoparticles may comprise a mesoporous shell, the external surface of which has projections thereon, the projections having smaller sizes than the particle size. The particulate material may be used to deliver active agents, such as insecticides and pesticides. The active agents can enter into the hollow core of the particles and be protected from degradation by sunlight. The rough surface of the particles retains the particles on plant leaves or animal hair. Methods for forming the particles are also described. Carbon particles and methods for forming carbon particles are also described.

The methods of the invention employ targeted magnetic particles, preferably targeted nanomagnetic particles, and targeted buoyant particles such as buoyant microparticles and microbubbles. Among the benefits of the invention is the ability to combine targeted magnetic particles with differentially targeted buoyant particles to achieve separation of two or more specifically cell targeted populations during the same work flow.

An absorbent composition containing cellulose nanofibers and a cellulose derivative and a method for making the same are disclosed. The cellulose derivative has a viscosity of 1000 mPa.Math.s or higher in a 1 mass % aqueous solution at 25° C. and a degree of etherification of less than 0.9. The cellulose derivative is preferably at least one member selected from the group consisting of carboxymethyl cellulose, carboxyethyl cellulose, a carboxymethyl cellulose salt, and a carboxyethyl cellulose salt, more preferably a carboxymethyl cellulose salt, even more preferably sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.

Disclosed herein are nanostructured hierarchical zeolitic materials comprising: a plurality of zeolite nanotubes, each zeolite nanotube comprising a zeolitic wall perforated by a plurality of pores, the zeolitic wall defining a single longitudinal lumen. Also disclosed herein are bolaform structure directing agents comprising: a first hydrophilic end and a second hydrophilic end with a hydrophobic core therebetween; the hydrophobic core comprising one or more aromatic rings and one or more hydrophobic alkyl groups; the one or more aromatic rings comprising a biphenyl group; the one or more hydrophobic alkyl groups each independently comprising a C.sub.10 alkyl group; and the first hydrophilic end and the second hydrophilic end each independently comprising a quinuclidinium group. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and use of the plurality of zeolite nanotubes and the bolaform structure directing agents.

A water filtration system is provided that comprises a combination of two components: silver nanoparticles immobilized on a porous carbon solid matrix and calcium carbonate silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles immobilized on the porous carbon solid matrix are prepared in a one-step wet ball milling process that does not use an environmentally hazardous reducing agent or an organic stabilizer. The calcium carbonate in the calcium carbonate silver nanoparticles is preferably isolated from egg shells. The two filter components can be present in any ratio but an approximate 50:50 ratio is preferred. Also provided is an in situ method of preparing silver nanoparticles on active charcoal. Powdered activated charcoal and silver nitrate are mixed together in a mixture of ethanol and water to form a charcoal-silver nitrate solution which is then subjected to ball milling in the presence of polypropylene glycol to produce silver nanoparticles on active charcoal.

A method of using ZnO particles for the treatment of colon cancer and a method of using the particles for reducing the concentration of an organic contaminant in an aqueous solution is described. The ZnO particles are substantially spherical and may have nanopetals that provide a nanoflower morphology. The synthesis and characterization of the ZnO particles is also discussed.

The invention relates to a composite material, suitable for treating water. The composite material comprises an active layer and a substrate layer, with the active layer including titanium dioxide and silver nanoparticles. The active layer is bonded to the substrate layer such that, in use, there is substantially no leaching of the active layer into the body of water. The invention further relates to a method of preparing the composite material.