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.

The present invention discloses a two-dimensional nanomaterial dispersant, a preparation method of a two-dimensional nanomaterial by liquid phase exfoliation, and use thereof. The present invention utilizes a readily synthesizable and inexpensive oligoaniline, oligoaniline derivative, polyaniline conducting polymer or the like as a dispersant of a two-dimensional nanomaterial, such as a boron nitride nanosheet or a molybdenum disulfide nanosheet, simply mixes the dispersant with boron nitride or molybdenum disulfide in a dispersion medium, such as water, an organic solvent, or a polymer resin, and can significantly improve dispersity and dispersion stability of the two-dimensional nanomaterial in the dispersion medium by a physical interaction therebetween; and can also obtain the two-dimensional nanomaterial in the dispersant by a simple liquid phase exfoliation method, which is an environment friendly and efficient process with simple operations without impairing the physical structure and chemical properties of the two-dimensional nanomaterial, and facilitates large-scale implementation.

The present invention discloses a two-dimensional nanomaterial dispersant, a preparation method of a two-dimensional nanomaterial by liquid phase exfoliation, and use thereof. The present invention utilizes a readily synthesizable and inexpensive oligoaniline, oligoaniline derivative, polyaniline conducting polymer or the like as a dispersant of a two-dimensional nanomaterial, such as a boron nitride nanosheet or a molybdenum disulfide nanosheet, simply mixes the dispersant with boron nitride or molybdenum disulfide in a dispersion medium, such as water, an organic solvent, or a polymer resin, and can significantly improve dispersity and dispersion stability of the two-dimensional nanomaterial in the dispersion medium by a physical interaction therebetween; and can also obtain the two-dimensional nanomaterial in the dispersant by a simple liquid phase exfoliation method, which is an environment friendly and efficient process with simple operations without impairing the physical structure and chemical properties of the two-dimensional nanomaterial, and facilitates large-scale implementation.

An electrode for use in a lithium-ion battery. The electrode comprises a group IV-VI compound and a transition metal group VI compound on a three-dimensional graphene network. A major portion of the transition metal group VI compound is provided on top of the group IV-VI compound or in close proximity to it, whereby the molybdenum group VI compound contributes to the decomposition of a lithium group VI compound at the surface of the group IV-VI compound.

An electrode for use in a lithium-ion battery. The electrode comprises a group IV-VI compound and a transition metal group VI compound on a three-dimensional graphene network. A major portion of the transition metal group VI compound is provided on top of the group IV-VI compound or in close proximity to it, whereby the molybdenum group VI compound contributes to the decomposition of a lithium group VI compound at the surface of the group IV-VI compound.

A method and a device for the production of graphene or graphene-like material are provided. The method can comprise the following steps: providing particles of a crystalline graphitic material; dispersing the particles in a solvent or surfactant mixture; submitting the mixture to a cavitation force such that cavitation bubbles are present; and submitting the mixture to high shear agitation. The cavitation and high shear agitation steps can be simultaneous, in particular in the same enclosed vessel. The device for the production of graphene or graphene-like material can comprise a reactor having an enclosed vessel for receiving a solvent or surfactant mixture with dispersed particles of a crystalline graphitic material. The reactor can be arranged for: submitting the mixture in the enclosed vessel to a cavitation force such that cavitation bubbles are present and, simultaneously in the same enclosed vessel, submitting the mixture to high shear agitation.

A method and a device for the production of graphene or graphene-like material are provided. The method can comprise the following steps: providing particles of a crystalline graphitic material; dispersing the particles in a solvent or surfactant mixture; submitting the mixture to a cavitation force such that cavitation bubbles are present; and submitting the mixture to high shear agitation. The cavitation and high shear agitation steps can be simultaneous, in particular in the same enclosed vessel. The device for the production of graphene or graphene-like material can comprise a reactor having an enclosed vessel for receiving a solvent or surfactant mixture with dispersed particles of a crystalline graphitic material. The reactor can be arranged for: submitting the mixture in the enclosed vessel to a cavitation force such that cavitation bubbles are present and, simultaneously in the same enclosed vessel, submitting the mixture to high shear agitation.

Systems and methods for generating one or more single crystal monolayers from two-dimensional van der Waals crystals are disclosed herein. Example methods include providing a bulk material including a plurality of van der Waals crystal layers, and exfoliating one or more single crystal monolayers of van der Waals crystal from the bulk material by applying a flexible and flat metal tape to a surface of the bulk material. In certain embodiments, the one or more single crystal monolayers can be assembled into an artificial lattice. The present disclosure also provides techniques for manufacturing flexible and flat metal tape for generating one or more single crystal monolayers from two-dimensional van der Waals crystals. The present disclosure also provides compositions for creating a macroscopic artificial lattice. In certain embodiments, the composition can include two or more macroscopic single crystal monolayers adapted from a bulk van der Waals crystal, where the single crystal monolayers are configured for assembly into an artificial lattice based on one or more properties.

A method for direct growth of a patterned transition metal dichalcogenide monolayer, the method including the steps of providing a substrate covered by a mask, the mask having a pattern defined by one or more shaped voids; thermally depositing a salt on the substrate through the one or more shaped voids such that a deposited salt is provided on the substrate in the pattern of the mask; and thermally co-depositing a transition metal oxide and a chalcogen onto the deposited salt to form the patterned transition metal dichalcogenide monolayer having the pattern of the mask. Also provided is a patterned transition metal dichalcogenide monolayer prepared according to the method.

The invention relates to Chevrel-phase materials and methods of preparing these materials utilizing a precursor approach. The Chevrel-phase materials are useful in assembling electrodes, e.g., cathodes, for use in electrochemical cells, such as rechargeable batteries. The Chevrel-phase materials have a general formula of Mo.sub.6Z.sub.8 and the precursors have a general formula of M.sub.xMo.sub.6Z.sub.8. The cathode containing the Chevrel-phase material in accordance with the invention can be combined with a magnesium-containing anode and an electrolyte.