The present invention features a new way of doping layered cathode materials in lithium ion batteries. Using a “high entropy” doping strategy, more than four impurity elements can be introduced to the host materials. The present invention applies this high entropy doping strategy to a high nickel content layered oxide material and a lithium-manganese rich material. This new high entropy doping strategy allows the layered oxide materials used in the positive electrode of lithium ion battery to achieve high energy density, long life cycle and reduced reliance on the expensive and toxic cobalt, all of which are desired attributes for improving the performance of lithium ion batteries and reducing their cost.

A lithium battery including a cathode, an anode, a liquid-impermeable ion-conductive membrane between the cathode and the anode, and an interlayer including a metal-carbon composite between the anode and the liquid-impermeable ion-conductive membrane, wherein the metal-carbon composite includes a carbonaceous material, a metal chemically bonded to the carbonaceous material, and a metal sulfide, a metal fluoride, or a combination thereof chemically bonded to the carbonaceous material.

A nanoparticle cluster reduction method yields a new composition of matter including a large percentage (e.g., 75% or higher percentage) of primary nanoparticles in the new composition of matter. The particle reduction method reduces the size of nanoparticle clusters in material of the new composition of matter, allows particle reduction of specific nanoparticle cluster sizes, and allows particle reduction to primary nanoparticles. This new composition of matter can include a high permittivity and high resistivity dielectric compound. This new composition of matter, according to certain examples, has high permittivity, high resistivity, and low leakage current. In certain examples, the new composition of matter constitutes a dielectric energy storage device that is a battery with very high energy density, high operating voltage per cell, and an extended battery life cycle. An example method can include a controlled gas evolution reaction to reduce the size of nanoparticle clusters.

A particulate oxide composition comprising cerium oxide, trivalent dopant, and optional additional metal oxide, other than cerium oxide and trivalent dopant, is beneficial to aid in the removal of biological contaminants, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa (e.g., amoebae), yeast and algae. This particulate oxide composition contains more cerium oxide than trivalent dopant and has a unique depth profile in which the average trivalent dopant to Ce ratio at about 0 nm to about 3.5 nm from the surface of the particulate composition is greater than the trivalent dopant to Ce ratio at about 15 nm from the surface of the particulate composition. These trivalent doped cerium oxide compositions can be used to remove these biological contaminants from fluids, including air and water, and from solid surfaces. Also described are methods of using compositions containing these trivalent doped cerium oxide compositions to remove biological contaminants.

A method for producing mesoporous magnesium hydroxide nanoplates involving solvothermal treatment of a solution of a magnesium salt, a base, a glycol, and water is disclosed. The method does not use a surfactant or template in the solvothermal treatment. The method yields mesoporous nanoparticles of magnesium hydroxide having a plate-like morphology with a diameter of 20 nm to 100 nm, a mean pore diameter of 2 to 10 nm, a surface area of 50 to 70 m.sup.2/g, and a type-III nitrogen adsorption-desorption BET isotherm with a H3 hysteresis loop. An antibacterial composition containing the mesoporous magnesium hydroxide nanoplates is also disclosed. A method for reducing nitroaromatic compounds with a reducing agent and the mesoporous magnesium hydroxide nanoplates as a catalyst is also disclosed.

Described herein are methods for continuous production of an exfoliated two-dimensional (2D) material comprising passing a 2D material mixture through a convergent-divergent nozzle, the 2D material mixture comprising a 2D layered material and a compressible fluid. The method of the present disclosure employs physical compression and expansion of a flow of high-pressure gases, leaving the 2D layered material largely defect free to produce an exfoliated 2D layered in a simple, continuous, and environmentally friendly manner.

A functionalized fibrous hierarchical zeolite includes a framework comprising aluminum atoms, silicon atoms, and oxygen atoms, the framework further comprising a plurality of micropores and a plurality of mesopores. The functionalized fibrous hierarchical zeolite is functionalized with at least one amine. A plurality of nanoparticles comprising nickel are immobilized on the framework.

The process of reacting nanoscale ce-MoS.sub.2 nanosheets anchored on oxide support with lead in solution at room temperature whereby the reaction is rapid and spontaneous resulting in the formation of PbMoO.sub.4-xS.sub.x in the process of scavenging Pb.sup.2+ and Pb.sup.4+ present in the solution.

A method for manufacturing a sputtering target with which an oxide semiconductor film with a small amount of defects can be formed is provided. Alternatively, an oxide semiconductor film with a small amount of defects is formed. A method for manufacturing a sputtering target is provided, which includes the steps of: forming a polycrystalline In-M-Zn oxide (M represents a metal chosen among aluminum, titanium, gallium, yttrium, zirconium, lanthanum, cesium, neodymium, and hafnium) powder by mixing, sintering, and grinding indium oxide, an oxide of the metal, and zinc oxide; forming a mixture by mixing the polycrystalline In-M-Zn oxide powder and a zinc oxide powder; forming a compact by compacting the mixture; and sintering the compact.

A nanostructure is provided that in one embodiment includes a cluster of cylindrical bodies. Each of the cylindrical bodies in the cluster are substantially aligned with one another so that their lengths are substantially parallel. The composition of the cylindrical bodies include tungsten (W) and sulfur (S), and each of the cylindrical bodies has a geometry with at least one dimension that is in the nanoscale. Each cluster of cylindrical bodies may have a width dimension ranging from 0.2 microns to 5.0 microns, and a length greater than 5.0 microns. In some embodiments, the cylindrical bodies are composed of tungsten disulfide (WS.sub.2). In another embodiment the nanolog is a particle comprised of external concentric disulfide layers which encloses internal disulfide folds and regions of oxide. Proportions between disulfide and oxide can be tailored by thermal treatment and/or extent of initial synthesis reaction.