Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of making graphene quantum dots from a carbon source (e.g., coal, coke, and combinations thereof) by exposing the carbon source to an oxidant. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure further comprise a step of separating the formed graphene quantum dots from the oxidant. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure further comprise a step of reducing the formed graphene quantum dots. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure further comprise a step of enhancing a quantum yield of the graphene quantum dots. In further embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of controlling the diameter of the formed graphene quantum dots by selecting the carbon source. In some embodiments, the formed graphene quantum dots comprise oxygen addends or amorphous carbon addends on their edges.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention encompass methods of forming graphene from graphene oxide and/or graphite oxide using tomato juice.

Abstract: Mesoporous activated carbon having a mesopore structure of at least about 10%. In at least some embodiments, the activated carbon may be coconut shell-based. The enhanced activated carbon may have an intraparticle diffusion constant of at least about 40 mg/g/hr1/2.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a continuous carbon fiber from a precursor material. According to this method, a precursor material including a continuous natural fiber and carbon nanofillers is used, said natural fiber being obtained from at least one plant constituent such as a cellulose. A process for manufacturing a continuous carbon fiber from a precursor material, including a step of carbonization of said precursor material, in which the precursor material includes a continuous natural fiber and carbon nanofillers, said natural fiber being obtained from at least one plant constituent, wherein it also includes a step of sizing the precursor material before the carbonization step.

Abstract: A freestanding thin film of nano-crystalline graphite is described, as well as a method of producing a freestanding thin film of nano-crystalline graphite including: providing a freestanding thin film of amorphous carbon, heating the freestanding thin film to a high temperature in an inert atmosphere or in a vacuum; and allowing the freestanding thin film to cool down, as a result of which a freestanding thin film of nano-crystalline graphite is formed. The films can be used, for example, as phase plates in a Transmission Electron Microscope.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing carbon monoxide (CO) and sulfur dioxide (SO2), the method comprising obtaining a reaction mixture comprising carbon dioxide gas (CO2(g)) and elemental sulfur gas (S(g)), and subjecting the reaction mixture to conditions sufficient to produce a product stream comprising CO(g) and SO2(g).

Abstract: A composition comprising a mixture of carbon nanotubes having a bi-modal size distribution are produced by reducing carbon oxides with a reducing agent in the presence of a catalyst. The resulting mixture of nanotubes include a primary population of multiwall carbon nanotubes having characteristic diameters greater than 40 nanometers, and a secondary population of what are apparently single wall nanotubes with characteristic diameters of less than 30 nanometers. The resulting mixture may also contain one or more other allotropes and morphologies of carbon in various proportions.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for forming graphene and structures including graphene. In an example, a system effective to form graphene may include a chamber adapted to receive graphite oxide. The system may also include a source of an inert gas and a source of hydrogen, which may both be configured in communication with the chamber. A processor may be configured in communication with the chamber, the inert gas source and/or the hydrogen source. The processor may be further configured to control the flow of the inert gas from the first source through the chamber under first sufficient reaction conditions to remove at least some oxygen from the atmosphere of the chamber. The processor may also be configured to control the flow of the hydrogen from the second source to the graphite oxide in the chamber under second sufficient reaction conditions to form graphene from the graphite oxide.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of making semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes are described herein. In some implementations, a method of making semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes comprises providing a plurality of semiconducting nanotube seeds including (n,m) nanotube seeds and non-(n,m) nanotube seeds. The method further comprises illuminating the plurality of nanotube seeds with a first laser beam having a first wavelength and a second laser beam having a second wavelength, the second wavelength differing from the first wavelength. The first wavelength corresponds to an absorption maximum for a (n,m) carbon nanotube and the second wavelength corresponds to a photoluminescence emission frequency for the (n,m) carbon nanotube.

Abstract: Compositions and methods directed to producing metal-doped graphene and the metal-doped graphene derivatives from pitch are disclosed.

Abstract: Photoelectrochemical materials and photoelectrodes comprising the materials are provided. The photoelectrochemical materials comprise a porous, high-surface-area BiVO4 that is composed of particles smaller than the hole diffusion length of BiVO4.

Abstract: A novel hydrogen absorption material is provided comprising a mixture of a lithium hydride with a fullerene. The subsequent reaction product provides for a hydrogen storage material which reversibly stores and releases hydrogen at temperatures of about 270° C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the preparation of lithium carbonate from lithium chloride containing brines. The method can include a silica removal step, capturing lithium chloride, recovering lithium chloride, supplying lithium chloride to an electrochemical cell and producing lithium hydroxide, contacting the lithium hydroxide with carbon dioxide to produce lithium carbonate.

Abstract: A production method for producing an oxygen sensor, includes spinning a precursor consisting of a salt of at least one metal chosen from Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ho, Yb, Sr, Ba, Mn, Co, Mg, and Ga, a solvent, and a macromolecular polymer to produce nanofibers of the precursor containing the salt of the metal. The method further includes calcining the nanofibers of the precursor at a temperature ranging from 550° C. to 650° C. for 2 to 4 hours, and making a solid electrolyte material composed of the nanofibers obtained from the calcining. The resulting solid electrolyte material constitutes a part of the oxygen sensor.

Abstract: Methods and processes are disclosed that utilize carbonates produced as a result of the conversion of carbon dioxide that are heated under conditions inhibiting complete combustion to produce vapors promoting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formation in the formation of graphene, graphene derivatives and other useful nanoparticles as desired. In some embodiments, the waste gasses and streams from processes of extracting or processing carbonaceous materials are collected and refluxed with at least one solvent to promote polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon formation under conditions that inhibit complete combustion of the carbonaceous material can be used in the production of graphene, graphene derivatives and other useful nanoparticles. In some embodiments, waste gasses from processes of extracting or processing carbonaceous materials are collected and used in the production of graphene, graphene derivatives and other useful nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method for making lithium iron phosphate is provided. A lithium chemical compound, a ferrous chemical compound, and a phosphate-radical chemical compound are mixed in an organic solvent to form a mixture. The mixture is solvothermal reacted in a solvothermal reactor at a predetermined temperature. A protective gas is introduced into the solvothermal reactor during the solvothermal reaction to increase a pressure in the solvothermal reactor to a level higher than a self-generated pressure of the solvothermal reaction.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems containing a solar reactor having a mixture of plasmonic material and oxygen-conducting material that can convert carbon dioxide into a chemical feedstock.

Abstract: Provided herein are nanofibers and processes of preparing carbonaceous nanofibers. In some embodiments, the nanofibers are high quality, high performance nanofibers, highly coherent nanofibers, highly continuous nanofibers, or the like. In some embodiments, the nanofibers have increased coherence, increased length, few voids and/or defects, and/or other advantageous characteristics. In some instances, the nanofibers are produced by electrospinning a fluid stock having a high loading of nanofiber precursor in the fluid stock. In some instances, the fluid stock comprises well mixed and/or uniformly distributed precursor in the fluid stock. In some instances, the fluid stock is converted into a nanofiber comprising few voids, few defects, long or tunable length, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a carbon nanotube aggregate whose bulk density is easily controllable. Therefore, the present invention provides a carbon nanotube aggregate suitable for use in various fields.

Abstract: Provided is a granular activated carbon that can be used for applications similar to wood-based steam-activated carbons; and also provided is a method for manufacturing the same. The granular activated carbon is obtained in the following manner. An activated carbon raw material is carbonized, and then pulverized. The pulverized product is then mixed with a calcium component, and the mixture is molded. Subsequently, the molded product is carbonized and activated, followed by washing.