Methods for producing nanostructures from copper-based catalysts on porous substrates, particularly silicon nanowires on carbon-based substrates for use as battery active materials, are provided. Related compositions are also described. In addition, novel methods for production of copper-based catalyst particles are provided. Methods for producing nanostructures from catalyst particles that comprise a gold shell and a core that does not include gold are also provided.

Copper sulfide of the formula Cu.sub.xS.sub.y, wherein x and y are integer or non-integer values, wherein (i) the copper sulfide has a sulfur 2p XPS spectrum with peaks at 162.3 eV (±1 ev), 163.8 eV (±1 ev) and 68.5 eV (±1 ev), characterised in that the peak at 168.5 eV has a lower value of counts per second (CPS) than both the peak at 162.3 eV and the peak at 163.8 eV; and (ii) the copper sulfide has a copper 2p XPS spectrum with peaks at 932.0 eV (±2 ev) and 933.6 eV (±3 eV) and characterised in that the XPS spectrum does not comprise identifiable satellite peaks at 939.8 eV and 943.1 eV (±3 eV).

Disclosed is a process for producing graphene-semiconductor nanowire hybrid material, comprising: (A) preparing a catalyst metal-coated mixture mass, which includes mixing graphene sheets with micron or sub-micron scaled semiconductor particles to form a mixture and depositing a nano-scaled catalytic metal onto surfaces of the graphene sheets and/or semiconductor particles; and (B) exposing the catalyst metal-coated mixture mass to a high temperature environment (preferably from 100° C. to 2,500° C.) for a period of time sufficient to enable a catalytic metal-catalyzed growth of multiple semiconductor nanowires using the semiconductor particles as a feed material to form the graphene-semiconductor nanowire hybrid material composition. An optional etching or separating procedure may be conducted to remove catalytic metal or graphene from the semiconductor nanowires.

The present invention provides the compound LiMn.sub.2--x-yNa.sub.xM.sub.yO.sub.4/Na.sub.1-zMnLi.sub.zM.sub.tO.sub.2/Na.sub.2CO.sub.3, to be used as a positive electrode for rechargeable lithium ion battery, where M is a metal or metalloid, 0.0≤x≤0.5; 0.0≤y≤0.5; 0.1≤z≤0.5; 0.0≤t≤0.3; as well as the method for producing it. The synthesis process includes disolving or mixing the precursor metals and then calcining them in air or controlled atmosphere in a temperature range between 250° C. and 1000° C., and for a time range of 0.5 h to 72 h to obtain the composite proposed with the interaction of its three present phases, presenting a high retention capacity during repeated loading/unloading cycles and excellent discharge capacity both at room temperature and up to 55° C.

A CoVO.sub.x composite electrode and method of making is described. The composite electrode comprises a substrate with an average 0.5-5 μm thick layer of CoVO.sub.x having pores with average diameters of 2-200 nm. The method of making the composite electrode involves contacting the substrate with an aerosol comprising a solvent, a cobalt complex, and a vanadium complex. The CoVO.sub.x composite electrode is capable of being used in an electrochemical cell for water oxidation.

Method of making BTX compounds including benzene, toluene, and xylene, including feeding heavy reformate to a reactor containing a composite zeolite catalyst. The composite zeolite catalyst includes a mixture of layered mordenite (MOR-L) comprising a layered or rod-type morphology with a layer thickness less than 30 nm and ZSM-5. The MOR-L, the ZSM-5, or both include one or more impregnated metals. The method further includes producing the BTX compounds by simultaneously performing transalkylation and dealkylation of the heavy reformate in the reactor. The composite zeolite catalyst is able to simultaneously catalyze both the transalkylation and dealkylation reactions.

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.

A method for manufacturing a tungsten trioxide/silicon nanocomposite structure includes steps as follows. A silicon substrate is provided, wherein a surface of the silicon substrate is formed with a plurality of microstructures. A tungsten trioxide precursor solution is provided, wherein the tungsten trioxide precursor solution is contacted with the silicon substrate. A hydrothermal synthesis step is conducted, wherein the tungsten trioxide precursor solution is reacted to form a plurality of tungsten trioxide particles on the plurality of microstructures, so as to obtain the tungsten trioxide/silicon nanocomposite structure.

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.

A gas-sensitive material, a preparation method therefore and an application thereof, and a gas sensor using the gas-sensitive material are provided. The gas-sensitive material is a carbon material-metal oxide composite nanomaterial formed by compounding a carbon material and metal oxides. The content of the carbon material is 0.5˜20 wt. % and the content of the metal oxides is 80˜99.5 wt. %; the metal oxides contain tungsten oxide and one or more selected from tin oxide, iron oxide, titanium oxide, copper oxide, molybdenum oxide, and zinc oxide; the metal oxides are formed on the carbon material in the form of nanowires, and the nanowires are tungsten oxide-doped nanowires. The gas-sensitive material has reduced resistance, is capable of responding to various gases at a reduced working temperature.