Methods of synthesis of mesoporous silica are disclosed. The mesoporous silica synthesized herein, like SBA-15, possesses a two-dimensional, hexagonal, through-hole structure with a space group p6mm. An effective quantity of one or more water-soluble oxidized disulfide oil (ODSO) compounds are used during synthesis to impart distinct characteristics.

Disclosed herein is a turf filler comprising a plurality of inorganic particles having a size of less than or equal to about 10 mesh at least partially encapsulated within a coating composition comprising a copolymer comprising one or more C.sub.2-C.sub.20 olefinic monomers and monomers of an ethylenically unsaturated ester of a C.sub.2-C.sub.10 carboxylic acid, wherein at least a first portion of the plurality of the particles further comprises a colorant, and a second portion of the plurality of particles is essentially free of a colorant. A method of producing the turf filler is also disclosed.

A method of preparing a lithium-ion conducting garnet via low-temperature solid-state synthesis is disclosed. The lithium-ion conducting garnet comprises a substantially phase pure aluminum-doped cubic lithium lanthanum zirconate (Li.sub.7La.sub.3Zr.sub.2O.sub.14). The method includes preparing nanoparticles comprising lanthanum zirconate (La.sub.2Zr.sub.2O.sub.7-np) via pyrolysis-mediated reaction of lanthanum nitrate (La(NO.sub.3).sub.3) and zirconium nitrate (Zr(NO.sub.3).sub.4). The method also includes pyrolyzing a solid-state mixture comprising the La.sub.2Zr.sub.2O.sub.7-np, lithium nitrate (LiNO.sub.3), and aluminum nitrate (Al(NO.sub.3).sub.3) to give the Li.sub.7La.sub.3Zr.sub.2O.sub.14 and thereby prepare the lithium-ion conducting garnet. A lithium-ion conducting garnet prepared via the method is also disclosed.

The invention provides a method for the production of graphene-structured products. The method generally comprises contacting at a conversion temperature ranging from about 850° C. to about 1100° C. in an inert atmosphere coal with a molten salt to produce a graphene-structured product. In an alternate embodiment, the method comprises contacting at a conversion temperature ranging from about 850° C. to about 1100° C. in an inert atmosphere coal with a molten salt to produce a graphene-structured product; and, separating a rare earth element from the graphene-structured product.

A lithium-ion conducting composite material includes a Li binary salt, a Li-ion conductor with a chemical composition of Li.sub.2−3x+y−zFe.sub.xO.sub.y(OH).sub.1−yCl.sub.1−z, and at least two of: a first inorganic compound with a chemical composition of (Fe.sub.1−xM1.sub.x)O.sub.1−y(OH).sub.yCl.sub.1−x; a second inorganic compound with a chemical composition of M2OX; and a defected doped inorganic compound with a chemical composition of (M3OX)′. The value of n is 1 or 2, x is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 0.25, and y is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 0.25. Also, M1 is at least one of Mg and Ca, M2 and M3 are each at least one of Fe, Al, Sc, La, and Y, and X is at least one of F, Cl, Br, and I.

A method of preparing a positive electrode active material includes preparing a lithium transition metal oxide containing nickel in an amount of 60 mol % or more based on a total number of moles of metals excluding lithium, impregnating the lithium transition metal oxide with 300 ppm to 1,000 ppm of moisture based on 100 parts by weight of the lithium transition metal oxide, and performing a heat treatment on the lithium transition metal oxide impregnated with the moisture, wherein a lithium by-product present on a surface of the lithium transition metal oxide and the moisture react to form a passivation layer on the surface of the lithium transition metal oxide. A positive electrode active material prepared by the above-described preparation method, and a positive electrode and a lithium secondary battery which include the positive electrode active material are also provided.

A catalyst composition for manufacturing a catalyst for hydrogen production based on thermochemical reaction of methanol is disclosed. The catalyst composition includes a support component and an active component. The support component includes cement and clay, wherein a weight ratio of the cement to the clay is 3/7 to 9/1. The active component includes copper oxide or a precursor of copper oxide. Based on 100 parts by weight of the support component, a content of the active component is 5 to 10 parts by weight.

A process for producing a material in the form of nanosheets by ball milling of crystals of the material, wherein the ball milling takes place in the presence of a reactive gas.

An organically modified metal oxide nanoparticle includes a core, a first modification group, and a second modification group. The core includes a plurality of metal atoms and a plurality of oxygen atoms bonded to the plurality of metal atoms. The first modification group is a saturated carboxylic acid/carboxylate ligand coordinated to the core. The second modification group is coordinated to the core, and is an inorganic anion having a smaller size than the first modification group and/or a saturated carboxylic acid/carboxylate ligand having a smaller molecular weight than the first modification group.

Methods of synthesis of mesoporous silica are disclosed. The mesoporous silica synthesized herein, like SBA-15, possesses a two-dimensional, hexagonal, through-hole structure with a space group p6mm. An effective quantity of one or more thermally expandable microcells are used during synthesis to impart distinct characteristics.