Methods for producing nanostructures from copper-based catalysts on porous substrates, particularly silicon nanowires on carbon-based substrates for use as battery active materials, are provided. Related compositions are also described. In addition, novel methods for production of copper-based catalyst particles are provided. Methods for producing nanostructures from catalyst particles that comprise a gold shell and a core that does not include gold are also provided.

Reduced and low work function materials capable of optimizing electron emission performance in a range of vacuum and nanoscale electronic devices and processes and a method for reducing work function and producing reduced and low work function materials are described. The reduced and low work function materials advantageously may be made from single crystal materials, preferably metals, and from amorphous materials with optimal thicknesses for the materials. A surface geometry is created that may significantly reduce work function and produce a reduced or low work function for the material. It is anticipated that low and ultra-low work function materials may be produced by the present invention and that these materials will have particular utility in the optimization of electron emissions in a wide range of vacuum microelectronics and other nanoscale electronics and processes.

Reduced and low work function materials capable of optimizing electron emission performance in a range of vacuum and nanoscale electronic devices and processes and a method for reducing work function and producing reduced and low work function materials are described. The reduced and low work function materials advantageously may be made from single crystal materials, preferably metals, and from amorphous materials with optimal thicknesses for the materials. A surface geometry is created that may significantly reduce work function and produce a reduced or low work function for the material. It is anticipated that low and ultra-low work function materials may be produced by the present invention and that these materials will have particular utility in the optimization of electron emissions in a wide range of vacuum microelectronics and other nanoscale electronics and processes.

Embodiments described are directed to methods for the functionalization of asphaltene materials and to compositions made from functionalized asphaltenes. Disclosed is a method for synthesizing graphene derivatives, such as 2D single crystalline carbon allotropes of graphene and functional materials, such as sulfonic acid and its derivatives. Also disclosed is a method for the transformation of asphaltene into a source of graphene derivatives and functional materials, such as, 0D, 1D, 2D and combinations of 0D and 1D by utilizing chemical substitution reaction mechanism, such as, electrophilic aromatic substitution, nucleophilic aromatic substitution and Sandmeyer mechanism. Also disclosed are novel graphene materials comprising: acetylenic linkage and hydrogenated graphene. These novel materials, which may be produced by these methods, include, e.g.: 2D single crystalline carbon allotropes of graphene with asymmetric unit formulas C.sub.7H.sub.6N.sub.2O.sub.4, C.sub.6H.sub.4N.sub.2O.sub.4, C.sub.7H.sub.7O.sub.3S− H.sub.3O+, C.sub.7H.sub.7O.sub.3SH+, and a 2D single crystal with asymmetric unit formula (Na.sub.6O.sub.16S.sub.4)n.

Embodiments described are directed to methods for the functionalization of asphaltene materials and to compositions made from functionalized asphaltenes. Disclosed is a method for synthesizing graphene derivatives, such as 2D single crystalline carbon allotropes of graphene and functional materials, such as sulfonic acid and its derivatives. Also disclosed is a method for the transformation of asphaltene into a source of graphene derivatives and functional materials, such as, 0D, 1D, 2D and combinations of 0D and 1D by utilizing chemical substitution reaction mechanism, such as, electrophilic aromatic substitution, nucleophilic aromatic substitution and Sandmeyer mechanism. Also disclosed are novel graphene materials comprising: acetylenic linkage and hydrogenated graphene. These novel materials, which may be produced by these methods, include, e.g.: 2D single crystalline carbon allotropes of graphene with asymmetric unit formulas C.sub.7H.sub.6N.sub.2O.sub.4, C.sub.6H.sub.4N.sub.2O.sub.4, C.sub.7H.sub.7O.sub.3S− H.sub.3O+, C.sub.7H.sub.7O.sub.3SH+, and a 2D single crystal with asymmetric unit formula (Na.sub.6O.sub.16S.sub.4)n.

A method of making a liquid dispersion for the manufacture of a photonic crystal. The method comprises dispersing monodispersed spheres in a liquid to form a liquid dispersion, and subjecting the liquid dispersion to an ultrasonic treatment. Ammonia solution may also be added to the liquid dispersion. The ultrasound treatment breaks up agglomerations of monodispersed spheres, and the resulting photonic crystal made using the dispersion is more highly ordered and hence of higher quality.

A method of making a liquid dispersion for the manufacture of a photonic crystal. The method comprises dispersing monodispersed spheres in a liquid to form a liquid dispersion, and subjecting the liquid dispersion to an ultrasonic treatment. Ammonia solution may also be added to the liquid dispersion. The ultrasound treatment breaks up agglomerations of monodispersed spheres, and the resulting photonic crystal made using the dispersion is more highly ordered and hence of higher quality.

Proposed are a layered Group III-V compound containing phosphorus, a Group III-V nanosheet that may be prepared using the same, and an electrical device including the materials. There is proposed a layered compound represented by [Formula 1] M.sub.x-mA.sub.yP.sub.z (Where M is at least one of Group II elements, A is at least one of Group III elements, x, y, and z are positive numbers which are determined according to stoichiometric ratios to ensure charge balance when m is 0, and 0<m<x).

Embodiments described herein relate generally to the large scale production of functionalized graphene. In some embodiments, a method for producing functionalized graphene includes combining a crystalline graphite with a first electrolyte solution that includes at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, an oxidizer, and a surfactant. The crystalline graphite is then milled in the presence of the first electrolyte solution for a first time period to produce a thinned intermediate material. The thinned intermediate material is combined with a second electrolyte solution that includes a strong oxidizer and at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, a weak oxidizer, and a surfactant. The thinned intermediate material is then milled in the presence of the second electrolyte solution for a second time period to produce functionalized graphene.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to the large scale production of functionalized graphene. In some embodiments, a method for producing functionalized graphene includes combining a crystalline graphite with a first electrolyte solution that includes at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, an oxidizer, and a surfactant. The crystalline graphite is then milled in the presence of the first electrolyte solution for a first time period to produce a thinned intermediate material. The thinned intermediate material is combined with a second electrolyte solution that includes a strong oxidizer and at least one of a metal hydroxide salt, a weak oxidizer, and a surfactant. The thinned intermediate material is then milled in the presence of the second electrolyte solution for a second time period to produce functionalized graphene.