Described are Zn.sub.xCd.sub.1-xS.sub.ySe.sub.1-y/ZnS.sub.zSe.sub.1-z core/shell nanocrystals, CdTe/CdS/ZnS core/shell/shell nanocrystals, optionally doped Zn(S,Se,Te) nano- and quantum wires, and SnS quantum sheets or ribbons, methods for making the same, and their use in biomedical and photonic applications, such as sensors for analytes in cells and preparation of field effect transistors.

Provided is a negative-electrode active material, which is capable of constituting a lithium ion secondary cell exhibiting excellent cell characteristics. The negative-electrode active material for a lithium ion secondary cell of the invention includes a mixed material of silicon oxide particles composed of silicon oxide and rod-shaped iron oxide particles composed of iron oxide. It is preferable to use iron oxide particles having a plurality of pores in a surface, and an electrode reaction is effectively carried out.

A GaON/ZnO photoelectrode involving a nanoarchitectured photocatalytic material deposited onto a surface of a conducting substrate, and the nanoarchitectured photocatalytic material containing gallium oxynitride nanoparticles interspersed in zinc oxide nanoparticles, as well as methods of preparing the GaON/ZnO photoelectrode. A method of using the GaON/ZnO photoelectrode for solar water electrolysis is also provided.

This disclosure provides systems, methods, and apparatus related to inorganic halide perovskite nanowires. In one aspect, a first solution comprising cesium oleate or rubidium oleate in a first organic solvent is provided. A second solution comprising a lead halide and a surfactant in a second organic solvent is provided. The halide is selected from a group consisting of chlorine, bromine, and iodine. The first solution and the second solution are mixed. A reaction between the cesium oleate or the rubidium oleate and the lead halide forms a plurality of nanowires comprising an inorganic lead halide perovskite.

Methods for producing ethylene using nanowires as heterogeneous catalysts are provided. The method includes, for example, an oxidative coupling of methane catalyzed by nanowires to provide ethylene.

Disclosed herein is a composition having a plurality of particles of a filler material and crosslinking units having the formula —(SiR—CH.sub.2—CH.sub.2—CH.sub.2)—. The silicon atom in the crosslinking unit is directly or indirectly bound to the filler material. Each R is alkyl, alkenyl, phenyl, methyl, ethyl, allyl, halogen, chloro, or bromo. Also disclosed herein is a filler material having the silicon atom of a silacyclobutane group is directly or indirectly bound thereto. Also disclosed herein is a method of crosslinking silacyclobutane groups bound to a plurality of particles of a filler material. The silicon atom of the silacyclobutane group is directly or indirectly bound to the filler material. Also disclosed herein is a composition including a plurality of fibers of a polymer having reactive oxygen atoms and siloxane groups. Coordination bonds are formed between the oxygen atoms and the silicon atoms of the siloxane groups of separate fibers.

Disclosed is a process for producing silicon nanowires having a diameter or thickness less than 100 nm, comprising: (A) preparing a solid silicon source material in a particulate form having a size from 0.2 μm to 20 μm or in a porous structure form having a specific surface area greater than 50 m.sup.2/g; (B) depositing a catalytic metal, in the form of nano particles having a size from 0.5 nm to 100 nm or a coating having a thickness from 1 nm to 100 nm, onto surfaces of the silicon source material to form a catalyst metal-coated silicon material; and (C) exposing the catalyst metal-coated silicon material to a high temperature environment, from 300° C. to 2,000° C., for a period of time sufficient to enable a catalytic metal-catalyzed growth of multiple silicon nanowires from the silicon source material.

A process for the preparation of nanofilament particles of SiO.sub.x in which x is between 0.8 and 1.2, the process comprising: a step consisting of a fusion reaction between silica (SiO.sub.2) and silicon (Si), at a temperature of at least about 1410° C., to produce gaseous silicon monoxide (SiO); and a step consisting of condensation of the gaseous SiO to produce the SiO.sub.x nanofilament particles. The process may also comprising using carbon.

Monodisperse particles having: a single pure crystalline phase of a rare earth-containing lattice, a uniform three-dimensional size, and a uniform polyhedral morphology are disclosed. Due to their uniform size and shape, the monodisperse particles self assemble into superlattices. The particles may be luminescent particles such as down-converting phosphor particles and up-converting phosphors. The monodisperse particles of the invention have a rare earth-containing lattice which in one embodiment may be an yttrium-containing lattice or in another may be a lanthanide-containing lattice. The monodisperse particles may have different optical properties based on their composition, their size, and/or their morphology (or shape). Also disclosed is a combination of at least two types of monodisperse particles, where each type is a plurality of monodisperse particles having a single pure crystalline phase of a rare earth-containing lattice, a uniform three-dimensional size, and a uniform polyhedral morphology; and where the types of monodisperse particles differ from one another by composition, by size, or by morphology. In a preferred embodiment, the types of monodisperse particles have the same composition but different morphologies. Methods of making and methods of using the monodisperse particles are disclosed.

New methods and assays for multiplexed detection of analytes using phosphors that are uniform in morphology, size, and composition based on their unique optical lifetime signatures are described herein. The described assays and methods can be used for imaging or detection of multiple unique chemical or biological markers simultaneously in a single assay readout.