Abstract: A process for synthesizing carbon-metal nanocomposites. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of preparing a metal derivative or a metal chelated derivative of a carbon-containing precursor in solid form, and subjecting the metal derivative or metal chelated derivative of a carbon-containing precursor in solid form to microwave radiation at a frequency in the range of 900 MHz to 5.8 GHz, for a period of time effective to generate a heat flow from inside of the metal derivative or metal chelated derivative of a carbon-containing precursor in solid form to the outside such that the temperature of the metal derivative or metal chelated derivative of a carbon-containing precursor in solid form reaches 1,000° C. in less than 6 minutes with a temperature (T) derivative over time (t), ?T/?t, no less than 2.5° C./second to form carbon-metal nanocomposites.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing carbon-magnetite nanocomposites. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of (a) dissolving a first amount of an alkali salt of lignosulfonate in water to form a first solution, (b) heating the first solution to a first temperature, (c) adding a second amount of iron sulfate (FeSO4) to the first solution to form a second solution, (d) heating the second solution at a second temperature for a first duration of time effective to form a third solution of iron lignosulfonate, (e) adding a third amount of 1N sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to the third solution of iron lignosulfonate to form a fourth solution with a first pH level, (f) heating the fourth solution at a third temperature for a second duration of time to form a first sample, and (g) subjecting the first sample to a microwave radiation for a third duration of time effective to form a second sample containing a plurality of carbon-magnetite nanocomposites.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing carbon nanotubes. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of: (a) dissolving a first amount of a first transition-metal salt and a second amount of a second transition-metal salt in water to form a solution; (b) adding a third amount of tannin to the solution to form a mixture; (c) heating the mixture to a first temperature for a first duration of time to form a sample; and (d) subjecting the sample to a microwave radiation for a second duration of time effective to produce a plurality of carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing nanodiamonds. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of synthesizing nanodiamonds, which includes the step of subjecting an amount of tannin to a microwave radiation for a duration of time effective to produce a plurality of nanodiamonds.

Abstract: A method for separating a liquid hydrocarbon material from a body of water. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of mixing a plurality of magnetic carbon-metal nanocomposites with a liquid hydrocarbon material dispersed in a body of water to allow the plurality of magnetic carbon-metal nanocomposites each to be adhered by an amount of the liquid hydrocarbon material to form a mixture, applying a magnetic force to the mixture to attract the plurality of magnetic carbon-metal nanocomposites each adhered by an amount of the liquid hydrocarbon material, and removing said plurality of magnetic carbon-metal nanocomposites each adhered by an amount of the liquid hydrocarbon material from said body of water while maintaining the applied magnetic force, wherein the plurality of magnetic carbon-metal nanocomposites is formed by subjecting one or more metal lignosulfonates or metal salts to microwave radiation, in presence of lignin/derivatives either in presence of alkali or a microwave absorbing material.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing transition metal phosphide. In one embodiment, the method has the steps of preparing a transition metal lignosulfonate, mixing the transition metal lignosulfonate with phosphoric acid to form a mixture, and subjecting the mixture to a microwave radiation for a duration of time effective to obtain a transition metal phosphide.

Abstract: A plurality of carbon-metal nanocomposites. In one embodiment, the plurality of carbon-metal nanocomposites includes a plurality of carbons with a molecular structure that shows a first peak in the range of 1585 to 1565 cm?1 in a corresponding Raman spectrum, and a second peak in the range of 1325 to 1355 cm?1 in the corresponding Raman spectrum, wherein the first peak represents carbons with a graphitic nature and the second peak represents nanodiamonds, and wherein the plurality of carbon-metal nanocomposites is made from a metal derivative or metal chelated derivative of a carbon-containing precursor in solid form that is subjected to microwave radiation at a frequency in the range of 900 MHz to 5.8 GHz, for a period of time effective to allow the plurality of carbon-metal nanocomposites to be formed.

Abstract: A process for synthesizing carbon-metal nanocomposites. In one embodiment, the process includes the steps of preparing a metal derivative or a metal chelated derivative of a carbon-containing precursor in solid form, and subjecting the metal derivative or metal chelated derivative of a carbon-containing precursor in solid form to microwave radiation at a frequency in the range of 900 MHz to 5.8 GHz, for a period of time effective to generate a heat flow from inside of the metal derivative or metal chelated derivative of a carbon-containing precursor in solid form to the outside such that the temperature of the metal derivative or metal chelated derivative of a carbon-containing precursor in solid form reaches 1,000° C. in less than 6 minutes with a temperature (T) derivative over time (t), ?T/?t, no less than 2.5° C./second to form carbon-metal nanocomposites.

Abstract: The invention provides coatings useful for preventing corrosion of metals. The coatings comprise a film-forming resin and conductive polymers comprising linearly conjugated ?-systems and residues of sulfonated lignin or a sulfonated polyflavonoid or derivatives of solfonated lignin or a sulfonated polyflavonoid. The invention also provides a latex formulation of the coatings, and articles of manufacture comprising a metal substrate and a coating in contact with the metal substrate.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite made up of a conductive carbon material and lignosulfonic acid-doped polyaniline, wherein the composite possesses a conductivity greater than the conductivity of the polyaniline and the conductive carbon material. It also relates to a method of preparing a conductive carbon material-lignosulfonic acid-doped polyaniline composite by polymerizing aniline in the presence of the conductive carbon material and lignosulfonate. In addition, this invention relates to a composite made up of a conductive carbon material and sulponated asphalt-polyaniline, wherein the composite possesses a conductivity greater than the conductivity of the conductive carbon material and the sulponated asphalt-polyaniline. It also relates to a method of preparing a conductive carbon material-sulponated asphalt-polyaniline composite by polymerizing aniline in the presence of the conductive carbon material and the sulfonated asphalt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of synthesizing lignosulfonic acid-doped polyaniline by oxidatively polymerizing aniline in the presence of transition metal ions selected from the group consisting of Ag(I), Fe(II), and Fe(III) salts. The present invention also relates to a method for the preparation of transition metals from transition metal salts by exposing transition metal ion containing materials to an aqueous dispersion of lignosulfonic acid-doped polyaniline.

Abstract: The invention provides coatings useful for preventing corrosion of metals. The coatings comprise a film-forming resin and conductive polymers comprising linearly conjugated ?-systems and residues of sulfonated lignin or a sulfonated polyflavonoid or derivatives of sulfonated lignin or a sulfonated polyflavonoid. The invention also provides a latex formulation of the coatings, and articles of manufacture comprising a metal substrate and a coating in contact with the metal substrate.

Abstract: A method of making polyaniline grafted lignosulfonic acid is disclosed. The method comprises mixing of aniline and a lignosulfonate in the presence of a transition metal salt.

Abstract: This invention relates to composites of a highly conductive form of carbon, preferably graphite, and an inherently conducting polymer that exhibits higher conductivity than the conductivities of the individual components and the synthesis of these composites.

Abstract: A conductive ferromagnetic composition of matter comprising sulfonated lignin or a sulfonated polyflavonoid, or derivatives thereof, and ferromagnetic iron oxide particles is disclosed. Among the uses of the composition is to shield electromagnetic radiation. The ferromagnetic iron oxide particles of the composition are surprisingly stable to acid, and are easily and inexpensively formed from iron cations in solution.

Abstract: The invention provides conductive compositions of matter, as well as methods for the preparation of the conductive compositions of matter, solutions comprising the conductive compositions of matter, and methods of preparing fibers or fabrics having improved anti-static properties employing the conductive compositions of matter.

Abstract: The invention provides conductive compositions of matter, as well as methods for the preparation of the conductive compositions of matter, solutions comprising the conductive compositions of matter, and methods of preparing fibers or fabrics having improved anti-static properties employing the conductive compositions of matter.

Abstract: The invention provides conductive compositions of matter, as well as methods for the preparation of the conductive compositions of matter, solutions comprising the conductive compositions of matter, and methods of preparing fibers or fabrics having improved anti-static properties employing the conductive compositions of matter.

Abstract: The present invention relate to a method of preparing a novel polyurethane polymer having good flame-retardent qualities from an ammonia-modified polyether polyol. The preferred method comprises treating a reducing sugar with an epoxide to form a polyether polyol which is then treated with ammonia, which reacts with the polyol chemically and becomes chemically bound thereto. The ammonia-modified polyether polyol is then reacted with an isocyanate to form a fire-resistant polyurethane.

Abstract: The process of preparing a formaldehyde-free, thermosetting resin which is especially useful for bonding lignocellulosic materials together to form plywood or particle board, which process comprises first reacting an aqueous preparation containing a carbohydrate raw material with a mineral acid to convert the carbohydrate to polymerizable reactants and second reacting the polymerizable reactants with ammonia to form the thermosetting resin. The resin can be further cross-linked to form an insoluble resinous material by heating.