A method for production of phosphate compounds comprises dissolving of a raw material comprising phosphorus, aluminium and iron, in a mineral acid. Insoluble residues from the dissolving step are separated. Iron hydroxide is added causing precipitation of phosphate compounds. The precipitated phosphate compounds are removed. The phosphate compounds are dissolved by an alkaline solution. Iron hydroxide is filtered out. Lime is added, causing precipitation of calcium phosphate. The precipitated calcium phosphate is separated. The leach solution after the separating of precipitated calcium phosphate is recycled to be used for dissolving phosphate compounds by an alkaline solution.

The synthesis of 2D metal chalcogenide nanosheets and metal-ion or metalloid-ion doped 2D metal chalcogenide nanosheets by adding a metal complex to a hot dispersing medium. The mean lateral dimension of the nanosheets may be controlled by appropriate temperature selection.

A process for preparing a mesoporous material, e.g., transition metal oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride, Lanthanide metal oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride, a post-transition metal oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride, and metalloid oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride. The process comprises providing a micellar solution comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic or lyotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the micellar solution at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to form the mesoporous material. A mesoporous material prepared by the above process. A method of controlling nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in mesoporous materials. The method comprises providing a micellar solution comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic or lyotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the micellar solution at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to control nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in the mesoporous materials. Mesoporous materials and a method of tuning structural properties of mesoporous materials.

A process for preparing a mesoporous material, e.g., transition metal oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride, Lanthanide metal oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride, a post-transition metal oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride, and metalloid oxide, sulfide, selenide or telluride. The process comprises providing a micellar solution comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic or lyotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the micellar solution at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to form the mesoporous material. A mesoporous material prepared by the above process. A method of controlling nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in mesoporous materials. The method comprises providing a micellar solution comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic or lyotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the micellar solution at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to control nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in the mesoporous materials. Mesoporous materials and a method of tuning structural properties of mesoporous materials.

Provided is a method for producing metal chalcogenide nanomaterials, comprising the steps of forming an aqueous solution of a chalcogen precursor, a reducing agent and a metal salt; mixing the aqueous solution for a duration of time at a reaction temperature of between about 10 C. to about 40 C., inclusively; and separating the produced metal chalcogenide nanomaterials from the aqueous solution. Also provided is a method of converting metal chalcogenide nanoparticles into metal chalcogenide nanotubes or nanosheets, comprising the steps of forming an aqueous mixture of a chalcogen precursor, a reducing agent and the metal chalcogenide nanoparticles in water; and forming the nanotubes or nanosheets by stirring or not stirring the aqueous mixture, respectively.

Disclosed are chalcogenide nanomaterials, preferably metal chalcogenide nanomaterials, for example, copper, lead and/or silver chalcogenide nanomaterials. Also provided is a method or process of synthesizing or preparing a chalcogenide nanomaterial, preferably a metal chalcogenide nanomaterial. In an example, a wet-chemical method is used to prepare metal chalcogenide nanomaterials, preferably in a solvent and in the presence of one or more organic ligands. Another example method involves producing metal chalcogenide nanomaterial and includes the steps of forming a mixture of a metal precursor, a chalcogen-based ligand, a solvent and a chalcogen precursor, heating the mixture at a reaction temperature for a duration of reaction time, and separating a produced metal chalcogenide nanomaterial.

A bacterially induced crystal particle includes a composite shell. The composite shell layer may be hollow and has a thickness. The composite shell layer includes a biomaterial and a metallic material. The biomaterial is an organic substance including a cell wall or a cell membrane of a bacterium. The metallic material is oxides, sulfides, selenides, acid salt compounds of a transition metal, or any combination thereof. In other words, a bacterium itself is the template in the formation of a hollow sphere of transition-metal oxide mineral, transition-metal sulfide mineral, transition-metal selenide mineral, or transition-metal acid salt mineral. Accordingly, a material having low thermal conductivity can be provided.

Provided are nanoparticles passivated with a cationic metal-chalcogenide complex (MCC) and a method of preparing the same. A passivated nanoparticle includes: a core nanoparticle; and a cationic metal-chalcogenide compound (MCC) fixed on a surface of the core nanoparticle

Provided are nanoparticles passivated with a cationic metal-chalcogenide complex (MCC) and a method of preparing the same. A passivated nanoparticle includes: a core nanoparticle; and a cationic metal-chalcogenide compound (MCC) fixed on a surface of the core nanoparticle

Methods of forming two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide sheets are provided. The methods include adding a cross-linking agent to an activating agent to form a solution and mixing a two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide with the solution to form a mixture. The methods also include adding a cleaving agent to the mixture to form one or more contiguous sheets of transition metal dichalcogenide.