Disclosed is a method of irradiating a composition having water and hydrogen-terminated nanodiamonds with light that generates water-solvated electrons from the nanodiamonds. The method can be used to degrade fluoroalkyl compounds such as perfluorooctane sulfonate.

A foamed skeleton reinforced composite, comprising a foamed skeleton and a matrix material. The foamed skeleton is selected from at least one of a metal foamed skeleton, an inorganic non-metal foamed skeleton, and an organic foamed skeleton. The matrix material is selected from a metal or a polymer.

A foamed skeleton reinforced composite, comprising a foamed skeleton and a matrix material. The foamed skeleton is selected from at least one of a metal foamed skeleton, an inorganic non-metal foamed skeleton, and an organic foamed skeleton. The matrix material is selected from a metal or a polymer.

A method of increasing a density of carboxylic acids on a surface of a carbon nanoparticle is disclosed. The method includes contacting an oxygen-containing functional group on a surface of a carbon nanoparticle with a reducing agent to provide a hydroxyl group; reacting the hydroxyl group with a diazoacetate ester in the presence of a transition metal catalyst to provide an ester, the diazoacetate ester having the structure wherein R is a C1-8 hydrocarbyl, preferably tert-butyl, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, allyl, benzyl, pentafluorophenyl, or N-succinimidyl; and cleaving the ester to provide a carboxylic acid group. Surface-functionalized carbon nanoparticles made by the method are also disclosed.

A method of increasing a density of carboxylic acids on a surface of a carbon nanoparticle is disclosed. The method includes contacting an oxygen-containing functional group on a surface of a carbon nanoparticle with a reducing agent to provide a hydroxyl group; reacting the hydroxyl group with a diazoacetate ester in the presence of a transition metal catalyst to provide an ester, the diazoacetate ester having the structure wherein R is a C1-8 hydrocarbyl, preferably tert-butyl, methyl, ethyl, isopropyl, allyl, benzyl, pentafluorophenyl, or N-succinimidyl; and cleaving the ester to provide a carboxylic acid group. Surface-functionalized carbon nanoparticles made by the method are also disclosed.

A nanodiamond particle dispersion including nanodiamond particles highly dispersed in an organic solvent is provided. A nanodiamond particle dispersion of the present invention includes nanodiamond particles dispersed in an organic solvent, in which the nanodiamond particles have a silane compound (excluding a silane compound having a (meth)acryloyl group) bonded to a surface of the nanodiamond particles, the organic solvent has an SP value from 8.0 to 14.0 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2, and the nanodiamond particles are dispersed with a particle diameter (D50) from 2 to 100 nm. The organic solvent is preferably at least one type of organic solvent selected from ketones, ethers, alcohols, and carbonates.

A nanodiamond particle dispersion including nanodiamond particles highly dispersed in an organic solvent is provided. A nanodiamond particle dispersion of the present invention includes nanodiamond particles dispersed in an organic solvent, in which the nanodiamond particles have a silane compound (excluding a silane compound having a (meth)acryloyl group) bonded to a surface of the nanodiamond particles, the organic solvent has an SP value from 8.0 to 14.0 (cal/cm.sup.3).sup.1/2, and the nanodiamond particles are dispersed with a particle diameter (D50) from 2 to 100 nm. The organic solvent is preferably at least one type of organic solvent selected from ketones, ethers, alcohols, and carbonates.

The invention concerns a composite material comprising a carbon-based material and a non-continuous film comprising a plurality of regions of a metal-based wetting material associated with the carbon-based material, the non-continuous film of the wetting material being configured to tune the carbon-based material to adhesively receive thereon a film of at least one polymeric material.

Methods for preparing a layered metal nanocomposite and a layered metal nanocomposite. The method includes mixing a magnesium salt and a aluminum salt to form a Mg.sup.2+/Al.sup.3+ solution. The Mg/Al has a molar ratio of between 0.5:1 to 6:1. Then a diamondoid compound is added to the Mg.sup.2+/Al.sup.3+ solution to form a reactant mixture. The diamondoid compound has at least one carboxylic acid moiety. The reactant mixture is heated at a reaction temperature for a reaction time to form a Mg/Al-diamondoid intercalated layered double hydroxide. The Mg/Al-diamondoid intercalated layered double hydroxide is thermally decomposed under a reducing atmosphere for a decomposition time at a decomposition temperature to form the layered metal nanocomposite.

Methods for preparing a layered metal nanocomposite and a layered metal nanocomposite. The method includes mixing a magnesium salt and a aluminum salt to form a Mg.sup.2+/Al.sup.3+ solution. The Mg/Al has a molar ratio of between 0.5:1 to 6:1. Then a diamondoid compound is added to the Mg.sup.2+/Al.sup.3+ solution to form a reactant mixture. The diamondoid compound has at least one carboxylic acid moiety. The reactant mixture is heated at a reaction temperature for a reaction time to form a Mg/Al-diamondoid intercalated layered double hydroxide. The Mg/Al-diamondoid intercalated layered double hydroxide is thermally decomposed under a reducing atmosphere for a decomposition time at a decomposition temperature to form the layered metal nanocomposite.