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 herein are methods of producing large batch metal/metal oxide nanoparticles that involve dynamic dialysis. The methods allow for batches of greater than 1 liter to be synthesized and aged while reducing the amount of water usage.

Provided is a water-swelling layered double hydroxide characterized by having an organic sulfonic acid anion (A.sup.) between layers, and by being represented by the below mentioned general formula (1): Q.sub.ZR(OH).sub.2(Z+1)(A.sup.).sub.(1y)(X.sup.n).sub.y/n.mH.sub.2O . . . (1). Here, Q is a divalent metal, R is a trivalent metal, A.sup. is an organic sulfonic acid anion, m is a real number greater than 0, and z is in the range of 1.8z4.2. X.sup.n is the n-valent anion remaining without A.sup. substitution, n is 1 or 2, y represents the remaining portion of X.sup.n, and 0y<0.4.

Particular embodiments may provide an anode material, comprising a compound of formula Li.sub.2XY, wherein: X and Y are each independently a metal atom or a metalloid atom; the anode material has a discharge potential of less than about 0.4 V vs. Li/Li.sup.+; and the molar ratio of Li:X:Y is 2:1:1.

Oxidized metal complexes are formed using methods which adjust the pH of solutions to obtain oxidized metal complexes having particular physicochemical properties. A method for preparing an oxidized metal complex includes providing a first solution comprising a highly oxidized metal and having a pH between 0 to 7; providing a second solution comprising one or more ligands or a ligand precursor and having a pH between 7 to 13 or greater; and combining the first solution and the second solution to form a third solution comprising the first oxidized metal complex. A method for preparing an oxidized metal complex includes providing a species solution comprising a first oxidized metal complex and having a pH of at least pH 11; and adjusting the pH of the species solution to form a second oxidized metal complex. Compositions and methods for preparing and using same are provided.

Provided is a method of producing semiconductor nanoparticles exhibiting band-edge emission with a short emission peak wavelength. The method of producing semiconductor nanoparticles comprises: obtaining a first mixture that contains a Ag salt, an In salt, a compound containing Ga and S, and an organic solvent; and performing a heat treatment of the first mixture at a temperature in a range of 125 C. or higher and 300 C. or lower to obtain first semiconductor nanoparticles.

Oxidized metal complexes are formed using methods which adjust the pH of solutions to obtain oxidized metal complexes having particular physicochemical properties. A method for preparing an oxidized metal complex includes providing a first solution comprising a highly oxidized metal and having a pH between 0 to 7; providing a second solution comprising one or more ligands or a ligand precursor and having a pH between 7 to 13 or greater; and combining the first solution and the second solution to form a third solution comprising the first oxidized metal complex. A method for preparing an oxidized metal complex includes providing a species solution comprising a first oxidized metal complex and having a pH of at least pH 11; and adjusting the pH of the species solution to form a second oxidized metal complex. Compositions and methods for preparing and using same are provided.

A method to synthesize a silver nanohybrid material. The method includes mixing a nitrate solution with a citrate solution to form silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The method further includes esterifying a first mixture including octadecanoic acid, octadec-9-enoic acid, and octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid with caffeic acid in the presence of an acid catalyst and a solvent to form an unsaturated carboxylic acid mixture including first, second, and third acrylic acid derivatives. The method includes reacting the unsaturated carboxylic acid mixture with ethylene glycol to form a second mixture including first, second, and third ester derivatives. The method further includes mixing the AgNPs with the second mixture to form a third mixture. The method includes evaporating water from the third mixture to form the silver nanohybrid material. The silver nanohybrid material includes a AgNP core covered with the first, second, and third ester derivatives bonded to the AgNP core.

A method to synthesize a silver nanohybrid material. The method includes mixing a nitrate solution with a citrate solution to form silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The method further includes esterifying a first mixture including octadecanoic acid, octadec-9-enoic acid, and octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid with caffeic acid in the presence of an acid catalyst and a solvent to form an unsaturated carboxylic acid mixture including first, second, and third acrylic acid derivatives. The method includes reacting the unsaturated carboxylic acid mixture with ethylene glycol to form a second mixture including first, second, and third ester derivatives. The method further includes mixing the AgNPs with the second mixture to form a third mixture. The method includes evaporating water from the third mixture to form the silver nanohybrid material. The silver nanohybrid material includes a AgNP core covered with the first, second, and third ester derivatives bonded to the AgNP core.

A method to synthesize a silver nanohybrid material. The method includes mixing a nitrate solution with a citrate solution to form silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The method further includes esterifying a first mixture including octadecanoic acid, octadec-9-enoic acid, and octadeca-9,12-dienoic acid with caffeic acid in the presence of an acid catalyst and a solvent to form an unsaturated carboxylic acid mixture including first, second, and third acrylic acid derivatives. The method includes reacting the unsaturated carboxylic acid mixture with ethylene glycol to form a second mixture including first, second, and third ester derivatives. The method further includes mixing the AgNPs with the second mixture to form a third mixture. The method includes evaporating water from the third mixture to form the silver nanohybrid material. The silver nanohybrid material includes a AgNP core covered with the first, second, and third ester derivatives bonded to the AgNP core.