The present invention relates to a catalyst precursor for forming a molybdenum disulfide catalyst through a reaction with sulfur in heavy oil and to a method for hydrocracking heavy oil by using same. According to the present invention, the yield of a low-boiling liquid product with a high economic value in the products by heavy oil cracking can be increased, and the yield of a relatively uneconomical gas product or coke (toluene insoluble component), which is a byproduct, can be significantly lowered.

Described herein are methods for continuous production of an exfoliated two-dimensional (2D) material comprising passing a 2D material mixture through a convergent-divergent nozzle, the 2D material mixture comprising a 2D layered material and a compressible fluid. The method of the present disclosure employs physical compression and expansion of a flow of high-pressure gases, leaving the 2D layered material largely defect free to produce an exfoliated 2D layered in a simple, continuous, and environmentally friendly manner.

Described herein are methods for continuous production of an exfoliated two-dimensional (2D) material comprising passing a 2D material mixture through a convergent-divergent nozzle, the 2D material mixture comprising a 2D layered material and a compressible fluid. The method of the present disclosure employs physical compression and expansion of a flow of high-pressure gases, leaving the 2D layered material largely defect free to produce an exfoliated 2D layered in a simple, continuous, and environmentally friendly manner.

A method of synthesis of two-dimensional (2D) nanoparticles comprises combining a first nanoparticle precursor and a second nanoparticle precursor in one or more solvents to form a solution, followed by heating the solution to a first temperature for a first time period, then subsequently heating the solution to a second temperature for a second time period, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature, to effect the conversion of the nanoparticle precursors into 2D nanoparticles. In one embodiment, the first nanoparticle precursor is a metal-amine complex and the second nanoparticle precursor is a slow-releasing chalcogen source.

A method of synthesis of two-dimensional (2D) nanoparticles comprises combining a first nanoparticle precursor and a second nanoparticle precursor in one or more solvents to form a solution, followed by heating the solution to a first temperature for a first time period, then subsequently heating the solution to a second temperature for a second time period, wherein the second temperature is higher than the first temperature, to effect the conversion of the nanoparticle precursors into 2D nanoparticles. In one embodiment, the first nanoparticle precursor is a metal-amine complex and the second nanoparticle precursor is a slow-releasing chalcogen source.

Disclosed herein is a membrane comprising a bonding layer; and an activation layer disposed on the bonding layer and in contact with it; where the activation layer comprises catalyst nanoparticles that are operative to decompose impurities contained in an aqueous solution to generate gas bubbles that remove a sludge disposed on the membrane. Disclosed herein too is a method of purifying an aqueous solution comprising disposing in the aqueous solution, a membrane that comprises a bonding layer and an activation layer; where the activation layer comprises catalyst nanoparticles; partitioning the aqueous solution into a concentrate portion and a filtrate portion; where the activation layer contacts the concentrate portion; and decomposing impurities contained in the aqueous solution to generate gas bubbles that remove a sludge disposed on the membrane.

Disclosed herein is a membrane comprising a bonding layer; and an activation layer disposed on the bonding layer and in contact with it; where the activation layer comprises catalyst nanoparticles that are operative to decompose impurities contained in an aqueous solution to generate gas bubbles that remove a sludge disposed on the membrane. Disclosed herein too is a method of purifying an aqueous solution comprising disposing in the aqueous solution, a membrane that comprises a bonding layer and an activation layer; where the activation layer comprises catalyst nanoparticles; partitioning the aqueous solution into a concentrate portion and a filtrate portion; where the activation layer contacts the concentrate portion; and decomposing impurities contained in the aqueous solution to generate gas bubbles that remove a sludge disposed on the membrane.

The present invention relates to a method for making a Pickering emulsion, the method comprising: exfoliating a non-silicate layered 3D material in a solvent to produce particles of a non-silicate unfunctionalised 2D material; forming a dispersion of the particles of the 2D material in a first liquid phase; adding a second liquid phase; and homogenising the dispersion of the 2D material in the first liquid phase with the second liquid phase to form a Pickering emulsion comprising the first liquid phase, the second liquid phase, and the particles of the 2D material.

The present invention provides a laminate structure in which the properties of a single-walled CNT, which are susceptible to surrounding environment, are stabilized by protecting the surface of the single-walled CNT with a proper substance, and/or another property is imparted to the single-walled CNT. The present invention provides a structure which comprises a first single-walled carbon nanotube having a length of 50 nm or longer, preferably 100 nm or longer, and a second layer laminated on the first single-walled carbon nanotube, wherein the second layer comprises at least one substance selected from the group A consisting of first boron nitride, first transition metal dichalcogenide, second carbon, first black phosphorus and first silicon.

This invention is directed to compositions and films comprising hydroxyapatite with minute amounts of doped inorganic fullerene-like (IF) nanoparticles or doped inorganic nanotubes (INT); methods of preparation and uses thereof.