Copper ion-doped carbon dots (Cu-CDs) and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The preparation method includes the following steps: using copper nitrate as a dopant to generate a complex of polyacrylic acid and copper ions as a precursor by an in situ polymerization; standing overnight, and performing repeated suction filtration to collect filter residues; then, performing pyrolysis and carbonization to generate carbonized products, dispersing in ultrapure water, taking a supernatant, and then performing extraction and purification to obtain the CDs. When the Cu-CDs prepared by the present invention are used in photodynamic therapy, photothermal/photodynamic synergistic therapy is not required, and the Cu-CDs are suitable for the therapeutic process of skin cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, brain glioma, as well as some skin diseases and ophthalmological diseases.

Copper ion-doped carbon dots (Cu-CDs) and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. The preparation method includes the following steps: using copper nitrate as a dopant to generate a complex of polyacrylic acid and copper ions as a precursor by an in situ polymerization; standing overnight, and performing repeated suction filtration to collect filter residues; then, performing pyrolysis and carbonization to generate carbonized products, dispersing in ultrapure water, taking a supernatant, and then performing extraction and purification to obtain the CDs. When the Cu-CDs prepared by the present invention are used in photodynamic therapy, photothermal/photodynamic synergistic therapy is not required, and the Cu-CDs are suitable for the therapeutic process of skin cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, esophageal cancer, brain glioma, as well as some skin diseases and ophthalmological diseases.

The disclosure provides for methods of oxidizing carbide anions, or negative ions, from salt like carbides at low temperatures below about 600 C. In another aspect, the disclosure provides for reactions with intermediate transition metal carbides. In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides for a system of reactions where salt-like carbide anions and intermediate carbide anions are oxidized to produce pure carbon of various allotropes.

The disclosure provides for methods of oxidizing carbide anions, or negative ions, from salt like carbides at low temperatures below about 600 C. In another aspect, the disclosure provides for reactions with intermediate transition metal carbides. In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides for a system of reactions where salt-like carbide anions and intermediate carbide anions are oxidized to produce pure carbon of various allotropes.

A method of producing hydrogen gas is provided. The method can include the steps of providing a reaction vessel containing aluminum, delivering a stream of natural gas to the reaction vessel, in which the natural gas includes methane, and heating the reaction vessel at a temperature in a range of 300 to 800? C., in which the heating causes a chemical reaction between the methane and the aluminum to provide hydrogen gas and aluminum carbide. The method can include the addition of iron ore to the reaction vessel, which causes a reaction between the aluminum, methane, and iron oxide in the iron ore. The method can include delivering steam to the reaction vessel and heating the reaction vessel at a temperature in a range of 300 to 800? C., in which the heating causes a reaction between the methane, steam, and the aluminum to provide hydrogen gas, aluminum carbide, and aluminum oxycarbide.

A method of producing hydrogen gas is provided. The method can include the steps of providing a reaction vessel containing aluminum, delivering a stream of natural gas to the reaction vessel, in which the natural gas includes methane, and heating the reaction vessel at a temperature in a range of 300 to 800? C., in which the heating causes a chemical reaction between the methane and the aluminum to provide hydrogen gas and aluminum carbide. The method can include the addition of iron ore to the reaction vessel, which causes a reaction between the aluminum, methane, and iron oxide in the iron ore. The method can include delivering steam to the reaction vessel and heating the reaction vessel at a temperature in a range of 300 to 800? C., in which the heating causes a reaction between the methane, steam, and the aluminum to provide hydrogen gas, aluminum carbide, and aluminum oxycarbide.

The disclosure provides for methods of oxidizing carbide anions, or negative ions, from salt like carbides at temperatures from about 150 C. to about 750 C. In another aspect, the disclosure provides for reactions with intermediate transition metal carbides. In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides for a system of reactions where salt-like carbide anions and intermediate carbide anions are oxidized to produce pure carbon of various allotropes.

An additive manufacturing method of producing a metal alloy article may involve: Providing a supply of a metal alloy in powder form; providing a supply of a nucleant material, the nucleant material lowering the nucleation energy required to crystallize the metal alloy; blending the supply of metal alloy powder and nucleant material to form a blended mixture; forming the blended mixture into a first layer; subjecting at least a portion of the first layer to energy sufficient to raise the temperature of the first layer to at least the liquidus temperature of the metal alloy; allowing at least a portion of the first layer to cool to a temperature sufficient to allow the metal alloy to recrystallize; forming a second layer of the blended mixture on the first layer; and repeating the subjecting and allowing steps on the second layer to form an additional portion of the metal alloy article.

An additive manufacturing method of producing a metal alloy article may involve: Providing a supply of a metal alloy in powder form; providing a supply of a nucleant material, the nucleant material lowering the nucleation energy required to crystallize the metal alloy; blending the supply of metal alloy powder and nucleant material to form a blended mixture; forming the blended mixture into a first layer; subjecting at least a portion of the first layer to energy sufficient to raise the temperature of the first layer to at least the liquidus temperature of the metal alloy; allowing at least a portion of the first layer to cool to a temperature sufficient to allow the metal alloy to recrystallize; forming a second layer of the blended mixture on the first layer; and repeating the subjecting and allowing steps on the second layer to form an additional portion of the metal alloy article.

Systems and methods for converting metal oxide to metal using metal carbide as an intermediate, include: reacting the metal oxide with carbon to produce the metal carbide, wherein the metal carbide is in a form of powder or pellets; and subjecting the metal carbide produced from the metal oxide and the carbon to electrolysis in an electrorefiner to produce and purify the metal.