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.

In one inventive concept, an ink includes a precursor of a graphene analogue, a thickener, and a solvent. In another inventive concept, an ink includes a graphene analogue, a thickener, and a solvent. In yet another inventive concept, an aerogel includes a three-dimensional printed structure having printed features comprised of two dimensional sheets of a graphene analogue.

In one inventive concept, an ink includes a precursor of a graphene analogue, a thickener, and a solvent. In another inventive concept, an ink includes a graphene analogue, a thickener, and a solvent. In yet another inventive concept, an aerogel includes a three-dimensional printed structure having printed features comprised of two dimensional sheets of a graphene analogue.

A method of synthesizing carboxyl-modified molybdenum disulfide comprises the steps of a) preparing a molybdenum disulfide solution; b) adding hydrogen bromide (HBr) to the molybdenum disulfide solution, followed by blending the mixture; and c) adding oxalic acid (OA) to the molybdenum disulfide solution, followed by blending the mixture. The molybdenum disulfide synthesized by the method is applicable to a biosensing chip. The carboxyl-modified molybdenum disulfide effectively enhances sensitivity of a detection device having the biosensing chip.

Provided are an inorganic particle composite excellent dispersion stability in a polar solvent, a method for producing the same, and an inorganic particle composite dispersion are provided.

A method for producing an inorganic particle composite according to the present disclosure includes (A) adding water-soluble salt to an inorganic powder and mixing the water soluble salt and the inorganic powder in a dry or paste form, and, (B) washing the mixture with water after (A) to obtain an inorganic particle composite including a component derived from the water-soluble salt. The water-soluble salt has an acid dissociation constant pKa (H2O) of an acid of the counter anion of the water-soluble salt is greater than zero.

Provided are an inorganic particle composite excellent dispersion stability in a polar solvent, a method for producing the same, and an inorganic particle composite dispersion are provided.

A method for producing an inorganic particle composite according to the present disclosure includes (A) adding water-soluble salt to an inorganic powder and mixing the water soluble salt and the inorganic powder in a dry or paste form, and, (B) washing the mixture with water after (A) to obtain an inorganic particle composite including a component derived from the water-soluble salt. The water-soluble salt has an acid dissociation constant pKa (H2O) of an acid of the counter anion of the water-soluble salt is greater than zero.

The present invention relates to a new method for creating nanopores in single layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS.sub.2) nanosheets (NSs) by the electrospray deposition (ESD) of silver ions on a water suspension of the former. Electrospray deposited silver ions react with the MoS.sub.2 NSs at the liquid-air interface resulting in Ag.sub.2S nanoparticles (NPs) which goes into the solution leaving the NSs with holes of 3-5 nm diameter. Specific reaction with the S of MoS.sub.2 NSs leads to Mo-rich edges. Such Mo-rich defects are highly efficient for the generation of active oxygen species such as H.sub.2O.sub.2, under visible light, which causes efficient disinfection of water. The holey MoS.sub.2 NSs shows 10.sup.5 times higher efficiency in disinfection compared to normal MoS.sub.2 NSs. Developed a conceptual prototype and tested with multiple bacterial strains and a viral strain, demonstrating the utility of the method for practical applications.

The present invention relates to a new method for creating nanopores in single layer molybdenum disulfide (MoS.sub.2) nanosheets (NSs) by the electrospray deposition (ESD) of silver ions on a water suspension of the former. Electrospray deposited silver ions react with the MoS.sub.2 NSs at the liquid-air interface resulting in Ag.sub.2S nanoparticles (NPs) which goes into the solution leaving the NSs with holes of 3-5 nm diameter. Specific reaction with the S of MoS.sub.2 NSs leads to Mo-rich edges. Such Mo-rich defects are highly efficient for the generation of active oxygen species such as H.sub.2O.sub.2, under visible light, which causes efficient disinfection of water. The holey MoS.sub.2 NSs shows 10.sup.5 times higher efficiency in disinfection compared to normal MoS.sub.2 NSs. Developed a conceptual prototype and tested with multiple bacterial strains and a viral strain, demonstrating the utility of the method for practical applications.

Producing nanostructure materials in a thin film reactor (TFR) from starting material of inorganic or organic material of layered or two dimensional (2D) structure or inorganic material transformed in situ into 2D inorganic material, or single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), and a solvent or liquid phase. The TFR can be a vortex fluidic device (VFD) or a device with spaced first and second fluid contact surfaces, which can be conical, for relative rotation to generate shear stress in the thin film therebetween. A liquid supply means delivers a liquid between the first and second fluid contact surfaces. The composition can be exposed to laser energy. The thin film reactor can form graphene, graphene oxide, scrolls, tubes, spheres or rings of the layered or 2D material.

Optical and electronic detection of chemicals, and particularly strong electron-donors, by 2H to 1T phase-based transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) films, detection apparatus incorporating the TMD films, methods for forming the detection apparatus, and detection systems and methods based on the TMD films are provided. The detection apparatus includes a 2H phase TMD film that transitions to the 1T phase under exposure to strong electron donors. After exposure, the phase state can be determined to assess whether all or a portion of the TMD has undergone a transition from the 2H phase to the 1T phase. Following detection, TMD films in the 1T phase can be converted back to the 2H phase, resulting in a reusable chemical sensor that is selective for strong electron donors.