The present invention relates to highly modular amphiphilic polymer-dendron hybrids comprising hydrophobic dendrons conjugated to hydrophilic polymers that can be synthesized with a high degree of structural freedom, for suspending SWCNTs in aqueous solution. Utilizing the susceptibility of the polymer-dendrons towards enzymatic degradation, the present invention provides methods of detecting the presence of an enzyme in a sample as well as methods of monitoring of enzymatic activity by changes in the SWCNT fluorescent signal.

The invention pertains to the use of porous, chemically interconnected, isotropic carbon-nanofibre-comprising carbon networks for electromagnetic interference shielding (EMI). The invention also relates to a A composite assembly comprising a thermoplastic, elastomeric and/or thermoset polymer matrix and at least 15 wt%, preferably at least 20 wt%, more preferably 20 - 80 wt% of porous, chemically interconnected, crystalline carbon-nanofibres comprising carbon networks based on the total assembly weight.

The present invention may provide a nano-sized composite having excellent electrical conductivity and specific surface area. The present invention may provide a method of producing the above-described composite through a simple process without an ultracentrifugation process or a flash annealing step. The present invention may provide an energy storage device having high power performance and having excellent specific capacity characteristics not only at low current density but also at high current density.

High quality, catalyst-free boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) that are long, flexible, have few wall molecules and few defects in the crystalline structure, can be efficiently produced by a process driven primarily by Direct Induction. Secondary Direct Induction coils, Direct Current heaters, lasers, and electric arcs can provide additional heating to tailor the processes and enhance the quality of the BNNTs while reducing impurities. Heating the initial boron feed stock to temperatures causing it to act as an electrical conductor can be achieved by including refractory metals in the initial boron feed stock, and providing additional heat via lasers or electric arcs. Direct Induction processes may be energy efficient and sustainable for indefinite period of time. Careful heat and gas flow profile management may be used to enhance production of high quality BNNT at significant production rates.

Disclosed is a method of purifying boron nitride nanotubes through a simplified process. Specifically, the method includes preparing a starting solution containing boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs), a dispersant and a solvent, centrifuging the starting solution or allowing the starting solution to stand to collect a supernatant, adding an acid to the supernatant and filtering a resulting product.

Disclosed herein are pristine graphene sheets with columns formed of fullerene nanotubes between the graphene sheets for use as body armor, semiconductor, battery anode, solar panels, heat sinks, structural concrete members, structural steel members, precast concrete structural members, bridges, highways, streets, skyscrapers, sidewalks, foundations, dams, industrial plants, canals, airports, structural composites, aircraft, military equipment, and civil infrastructure.

The present disclosure provides a method for producing a boron nitride nanotube by heating a boron precursor, and an apparatus therefor. According to an embodiment, a method of producing a boron nitride nanotube includes: inserting several reaction modules each accommodating a holding rod disposed through at least one precursor block into a supply chamber disposed at a front end of a reaction chamber; conveying N reaction modules of the several reaction modules inserted in the supply chamber to a reaction zone of the reaction chamber; growing a boron nitride nanotube in the precursor block by operating the reaction zone for a predetermined time, in the reaction chamber; and conveying the N reaction modules from the reaction chamber to a discharge chamber disposed at a rear end of the reaction chamber after the predetermined time passes. Accordingly, it is possible to maximize the yield and productivity of BNNTs.

Provided are a halloysite powder and a method for producing the halloysite powder. The halloysite powder contains granules in which halloysite including halloysite nanotubes is aggregated. The granules have first pores derived from the tube holes in the halloysite nanotubes and second pores that are different from the first pores.

The present development is a metal particle coated nanowire catalyst for use in the hydrodesulfurization of fuels and a process for the production of the catalyst. The catalyst comprises titanium(IV) oxide nanowires wherein the nanowires are produced by exposure of a TiO.sub.2—KOH paste to microwave radiation. Metal particles selected from the group consisting of molybdenum, nickel, cobalt, tungsten, or a combination thereof, are impregnated on the metal oxide nanowire surface. The metal impregnated nanowires are sulfided to produce catalytically-active metal particles on the surface of the nanowires The catalysts of the present invention are intended for use in the removal of thiophenic sulfur from liquid fuels through a hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process in a fixed bed reactor. The presence of nanowires improves the HDS activity and reduces the sintering effect, therefore, the sulfur removal efficiency increases.

Provided herein are methods for forming one or more silicon nanostructures, such as silicon nanotubes, and a silica-containing glass substrate. As a result of the process used to prepare the silicon nanostructures, the silica-containing glass substrate comprises one or more nanopillars and the one or more silicon nanostructures extend from the nanopillars of the silica-containing glass substrate. The silicon nanostructures include nanotubes and optionally nanowires. A further aspect is a method for preparing silicon nanostructures on a silica-containing glass substrate. The method includes providing one or more metal nanoparticles on a silica-containing glass substrate and then performing reactive ion etching of the silica-containing glass substrate under conditions that are suitable for the formation of one or more silicon nanostructures.