Abstract: A zinc-based metal organic framework and method of making is described. The zinc-based metal organic framework is in the form of an interpenetrating diamondoid framework where each Zn2+ ion center is linked with four other Zn2+ ion centers in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The linking occurs through diamine and dicarboxylic acid linkers. The zinc-based metal organic framework may be deposited on a transparent conducting film and used as a photoelectrode for photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Abstract: A method of making a nanostructured palladium thin film electrode is described. The method involves contacting a substrate with an aerosol comprising a solvent and a Pd(II) compound. The substrate is heated, and no hydrogen gas or an additional reducing agent is required to reduce the Pd(II) to form the deposited thin film. The nanostructured palladium thin film electrode is capable of detecting compounds such as hydrazine in an aqueous sample with a 10 nM limit of detection.

Abstract: A method of making a nanostructured palladium thin film electrode is described. The method involves contacting a substrate with an aerosol comprising a solvent and a Pd(II) compound. The substrate is heated, and no hydrogen gas or an additional reducing agent is required to reduce the Pd(II) to form the deposited thin film. The nanostructured palladium thin film electrode is capable of detecting compounds such as hydrazine in an aqueous sample with a 10 nM limit of detection.

Abstract: A method of making a nanostructured palladium thin film electrode is described. The method involves contacting a substrate with an aerosol comprising a solvent and a Pd(II) compound. The substrate is heated, and no hydrogen gas or an additional reducing agent is required to reduce the Pd(II) to form the deposited thin film. The nanostructured palladium thin film electrode is capable of detecting compounds such as hydrazine in an aqueous sample with a 10 nM limit of detection.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for efficiently spitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using a nanocomposite that includes ((BiVO4)x—(TiO2)1-x, wherein x ranges from 0.08 to 0.12, and optionally silver nanoparticles; methods for making a nanocomposite used in this method by a simple solvothermal method; and to photoanodes and photoelectrochemical cells and devices containing the nanocomposites.

Abstract: A method of making a nanostructured palladium thin film electrode is described. The method involves contacting a substrate with an aerosol comprising a solvent and a Pd(II) compound. The substrate is heated, and no hydrogen gas or an additional reducing agent is required to reduce the Pd(II) to form the deposited thin film. The nanostructured palladium thin film electrode is capable of detecting compounds such as hydrazine in an aqueous sample with a 10 nM limit of detection.

Abstract: A method of making a nanostructured palladium thin film electrode is described. The method involves contacting a substrate with an aerosol comprising a solvent and a Pd(II) compound. The substrate is heated, and no hydrogen gas or an additional reducing agent is required to reduce the Pd(II) to form the deposited thin film. The nanostructured palladium thin film electrode is capable of detecting compounds such as hydrazine in an aqueous sample with a 10 nM limit of detection.

Abstract: A copolymer containing carbazole- and cyanovinylene-based moieties, a photoelectrode comprising a metal oxide substrate and the copolymer as a photoelectrocatalyst component to the photoelectrode, as well as a photoelectrochemical cell including the photoelectrode. Methods of producing the copolymers, and methods of using the photoelectrochemical cell to produce hydrogen gas and oxygen gas through water splitting are also provided.

Abstract: A method of making a nanostructured palladium thin film electrode is described. The method involves contacting a substrate with an aerosol comprising a solvent and a Pd(II) compound. The substrate is heated, and no hydrogen gas or an additional reducing agent is required to reduce the Pd(II) to form the deposited thin film. The nanostructured palladium thin film electrode is capable of detecting compounds such as hydrazine in an aqueous sample with a 10 nM limit of detection.

Abstract: A zinc-based metal organic framework and method of making is described. The zinc-based metal organic framework is in the form of an interpenetrating diamondoid framework where each Zn2+ ion center is linked with four other Zn2+ ion centers in a distorted tetrahedral geometry. The linking occurs through diamine and dicarboxylic acid linkers. The zinc-based metal organic framework may be deposited on a transparent conducting film and used as a photoelectrode for photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Abstract: Oil spill detection is crucial, both from an environmental perspective and the associated economic losses. Current optical oil sensing techniques, such as underwater microscopy and light scattering methods, mainly focus on detecting the properties of particles or organisms in water and often require costly equipment and sophisticated data processing. Recent studies on graphitic foam show its extraordinary pollutant absorbing properties, with high absorption weight ratios. Here we propose to produce a graphene foam based ultra-light material that changes its optical properties on absorbing oil species. The results demonstrate clear changes in optical transmission and scattering properties of graphene foam when exposed to various oils. The effective graphene foam sorbent can be easily integrated with optic fibers systems to detect the optical property variations and also to monitor oil presence/spillages remotely. Such sensors can also be used for underground oil exploration.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for efficiently spitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using a nanocomposite that includes ((BiVO4)x—(TiO2)1-x, wherein x ranges from 0.08 to 0.12, and optionally silver nanoparticles; methods for making a nanocomposite used in this method by a simple solvothermal method; and to photoanodes and photoelectrochemical cells and devices containing the nanocomposites.

Abstract: Copolymers having thiophene based and vinylene based moieties. Methods of producing the copolymers, and methods of utilizing the copolymers as chromogenic sensors for selective detection of iodide anion are also provided.

Abstract: A copolymer containing carbazole- and cyanovinylene-based moieties, a photoelectrode comprising a metal oxide substrate and the copolymer as a photoelectrocatalyst component to the photoelectrode, as well as a photoelectrochemical cell including the photoelectrode. Methods of producing the copolymers, and methods of using the photoelectrochemical cell to produce hydrogen gas and oxygen gas through water splitting are also provided.

Abstract: A simple one pot sol-gel method for the synthesis of bi-metal nanostructures is based on non-noble metals (Fe, Co and Sn) and titanium. The method involves the synthesis of mixed metal nanoscale composites using low cost precursors which allow for the synthesis of desired nanocomposite materials with self-scarifying titanium or silica supports. The procedure does not require any surfactant or any need for pH controlled step. Applicants' method involves the in-situ generation of precursors and their simultaneous entrapment in a gel. This simple one pot synthesis allows for the synthesis of homogenous size, shape and distribution of targeted nanostructures. Further, this method can be applied for the preparation of various nanocomposite materials using different choices of metals and self-scarifying supports. Applicants also show that Pd, the noble metal based nanocomposite is feasible.

Abstract: Copolymers having thiophene based and vinylene based moieties. Methods of producing the copolymers, and methods of utilizing the copolymers as chromogenic sensors for selective detection of iodide anion are also provided.

Abstract: A simple one pot sol-gel method for the synthesis of bi-metal nanostructures is based on non-noble metals (Fe, Co and Sn) and titanium. The method involves the synthesis of mixed metal nanoscale composites using low cost precursors which allow for the synthesis of desired nanocomposite materials with self-scarifying titanium or silica supports. The procedure does not require any surfactant or any need for pH controlled step. Applicants' method involves the in-situ generation of precursors and their simultaneous entrapment in a gel. This simple one pot synthesis allows for the synthesis of homogenous size, shape and distribution of targeted nanostructures. Further, this method can be applied for the preparation of various nanocomposite materials using different choices of metals and self-scarifying supports. Applicants also show that Pd, the noble metal based nanocomposite is feasible.

Abstract: Oil spill detection is crucial, both from an environmental perspective and the associated economic losses. Current optical oil sensing techniques, such as underwater microscopy and light scattering methods, mainly focus on detecting the properties of particles or organisms in water and often require costly equipment and sophisticated data processing. Recent studies on graphitic foam show its extraordinary pollutant absorbing properties, with high absorption weight ratios. Here we propose to produce a graphene foam based ultra-light material that changes its optical properties on absorbing oil species. The results demonstrate clear changes in optical transmission and scattering properties of graphene foam when exposed to various oils. The effective graphene foam sorbent can be easily integrated with optic fibers systems to detect the optical property variations and also to monitor oil presence/spillages remotely. Such sensors can also be used for underground oil exploration.