Boron nitride nanotube (BNNT)-polymide (PI) and poly-xylene (PX) nano-composites, in the form of thin films, powder, and mats may be useful as layers in electronic circuits, windows, membranes, and coatings. The processes described chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes for coating the BNNTs with polymeric material, specifically PI and PX. The processes rely on surface adsorption of polymeric material onto BNNTs as to modify their surface properties or create a uniform dispersion of polymer around nanotubes. The resulting functionalized BNNTs have numerous valuable applications.

A light-emitting composition comprising: a light-emitting group and a polymer comprising: a repeat unit of formula Ar.sup.1 wherein Ar.sup.1 is an arylene repeat unit which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents; and a repeat unit of formula (I): (I) wherein Ar.sup.2 and Ar.sup.3 each independently represent a C.sub.6-20 arylene group or a 5-20 membered heteroarylene group which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents and CB represents a conjugation-breaking group which does not provide a conjugation path between Ar.sup.2 and Ar.sup.3; wherein the polymer has a solubility in water or a C.sub.1-8 alcohol at 20° C. of at least 0.1 mg/ml. The composition may be a light-emitting polymer in which the polymer contains the light-emitting group. The light-emitting composition may be part of a particle containing the polymer and a matrix material, e.g. silica. The light-emitting composition may be used in an assay for detection of a target analyte.

A composite material made of an amorphous (bi)metal sulfide nanoparticles directly linked, through coordinate covalent bonds, to a sulfur-containing polymer and a method of preparation of the composite material. The composite material can also be used as a catalyst for hydrogen production. Finally, a proton-exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser and a photoelectrochemical cell, can both including the composite material.

A method for preparing a magnetic chain structure is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of magnetic particles; dispersing the plurality of magnetic particles in a solution comprising a dopamine-based material to form a reaction mixture; applying a magnetic field across the reaction mixture to align the magnetic particles in the reaction mixture; and polymerizing the dopamine-based material on the aligned magnetic particles to obtain the magnetic chain structure. A magnetic chain structure prepared by the method is also provided.

A method for preparing a magnetic chain structure is provided. The method comprises providing a plurality of magnetic particles; dispersing the plurality of magnetic particles in a solution comprising a dopamine-based material to form a reaction mixture; applying a magnetic field across the reaction mixture to align the magnetic particles in the reaction mixture; and polymerizing the dopamine-based material on the aligned magnetic particles to obtain the magnetic chain structure. A magnetic chain structure prepared by the method is also provided.

A sandwich-type graphene composite structure formed of carbon-coated silicon nanoparticles and graphene, and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The sandwich-type graphene composite structure is formed of a carbon-coated silicon graphene through an environmentally friendly filtration process. The formed sandwich-type graphene composite structure relieves the volume expansion of the silicon. In addition, the carbon coated on the silicon surface improves electrical conductivity and may be used as a high-capacity anode material.

Provided is a manufacturing method of a graphene-based liquid crystal fiber including: polymerizing a first aromatic monomer on a graphene-based compound to prepare a graphene composite in which a first aromatic polymer is surface-polymerized on the graphene-based compound; wet-spinning the graphene composite to manufacture a hydrogel fiber; and polymerizing a second aromatic monomer on the hydrogel fiber to fill pores of the hydrogel fiber with a second aromatic polymer.

Boron nitride nanotube (BNNT)—polyimide (PI) and poly-xylene (PX) nano-composites, in the form of thin films, powder, and mats may be useful as layers in electronic circuits, windows, membranes, and coatings. The processes described chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes for coating the BNNTs with polymeric material, specifically PI and PX. The processes rely on surface adsorption of polymeric material onto BNNTs as to modify their surface properties or create a uniform dispersion of polymer around nonotubes. The resulting functionalized BNNTs have numerous valuable applications.

The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a layer containing a plurality of linear carbyne chains, the method comprising (a) applying laser ablation on a piece of shungite in a liquid, followed by laser irradiation of the resultant carbon structures within the liquid in the presence of stabilizing metal nanoparticles, thereby to form a colloidal solution; and (b) subjecting at least a portion of said colloidal solution to AC voltage while the solution is allowed to dry, thereby to create a two-dimensional layer containing a plurality of carbyne chains.

The present invention provides a composite material having excellent dispersibility in a solvent and increased conductivity. The composite material comprises a carbon material and a conductive dispersant physically or chemically bonded to the carbon material, the conductive dispersant is constituted by a conductive polymer, and the conductive polymer has a number average molecular weight of 2000 or more and 100000 or less.