A gas atomization apparatus is disclosed for producing high purity fine refractory compound powders. After the system reaches high vacuum, a first stage inert atomizing gas breaks superheated metal melt into droplets and a second stage reactive atomizing gas breaks the droplets further into ultrafine droplets while reacts with them to form refractory compound powders. The first stage atomizing gas is inert gas able to break up melt into droplets and prevent crust formation on the nozzle front. A reaction time enhancer is arranged at bottom of reaction chamber to furnish a reactive gas flow in a reverse direction of the falling droplets and powders. Under the reverse gas flow, the falling droplets and powders change moving direction and travel longer distance in reaction chamber to increase reaction time. This apparatus can produce refractory powders with ultrahigh purity and uniform powder size while maintain high process energy efficiency.

A process for preparing a mesoporous metal oxide, i.e., transition metal oxide. Lanthanide metal oxide, a post-transition metal oxide and metalloid oxide. The process comprises providing an acidic mixture comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the acidic mixture at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to form the mesoporous metal oxide. A mesoporous metal oxide prepared by the above process. A method of controlling nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in mesoporous metal oxides. The method comprises providing an acidic mixture comprising a metal precursor, an interface modifier, a hydrotropic ion precursor, and a surfactant; and heating the acidic mixture at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to control nano-sized wall crystallinity and mesoporosity in the mesoporous metal oxides. Mesoporous metal oxides and a method of tuning structural properties of mesoporous metal oxides.

A reactor and method for production of nanostructures, including metal oxide nanowires or nanoparticles, are provided. The reactor includes a regulated metal powder delivery system in communication with a dielectric tube; a plasma-forming gas inlet, whereby a plasma-forming gas is delivered substantially longitudinally into the dielectric tube; a sheath gas inlet, whereby a sheath gas is delivered into the dielectric tube; and a microwave energy generator coupled to the dielectric tube, whereby microwave energy is delivered into a plasma-forming gas. The method for producing nanostructures includes providing a reactor to form nanostructures and collecting the formed nanostructures, optionally from a filter located downstream of the dielectric tube.

A nanoparticle containing monoclinic lutetium oxide. A method of: dispersing a lutetium salt solution in a stream of oxygen gas to form droplets, and combusting the droplets to form nanoparticles containing lutetium oxide. The combustion occurs at a temperature sufficient to form monoclinic lutetium oxide in the nanoparticles. An article containing lutetium oxide and having an average grain size of at most 10 microns.

A multiphase particulate nanocomposite material comprising, as determined by X-ray diffraction: a monoclinic CuO crystalline phase; an orthorhombic CaB.sub.2O.sub.4 crystalline phase; an orthorhombic PbO crystalline phase; an orthorhombic Pb.sub.4O(BO.sub.3).sub.2 crystalline phase; a tetragonal Pb.sub.3O.sub.4 crystalline phase, and, a PbB.sub.2O.sub.4 crystalline phase. The multiphase particulate nanocomposite material has, based on the total number of atoms in the nanocomposite material: an atomic concentration of boron (B) is from about 1 to about 10 atom %; an atomic concentration of calcium (Ca) is from about 5 to about 15 atom %; an atomic concentration of copper (Cu) is from about 5 to about 15 atom %; and, an atomic concentration of lead (Pb) is from about 5 to about 15 atom %.

A multiphase particulate nanocomposite material comprising, as determined by X-ray diffraction: a monoclinic CuO crystalline phase; an orthorhombic CaB.sub.2O.sub.4 crystalline phase; an orthorhombic PbO crystalline phase; an orthorhombic Pb.sub.4O(BO.sub.3).sub.2 crystalline phase; a tetragonal Pb.sub.3O.sub.4 crystalline phase, and, a PbB.sub.2O.sub.4 crystalline phase. The multiphase particulate nanocomposite material has, based on the total number of atoms in the nanocomposite material: an atomic concentration of boron (B) is from about 1 to about 10 atom %; an atomic concentration of calcium (Ca) is from about 5 to about 15 atom %; an atomic concentration of copper (Cu) is from about 5 to about 15 atom %; and, an atomic concentration of lead (Pb) is from about 5 to about 15 atom %.