Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a nanoparticle composition. The method includes forming a nanoparticle aerosol in a low pressure reactor, wherein the aerosol comprises MX-functional nanoparticles entrained in a gas, where M is an independently selected Group IV element and X is a functional group independently selected from H and a halogen atom. The method further includes collecting the MX-functional nanoparticles of the aerosol in a capture fluid, where the capture fluid is in fluid communication with the low pressure reactor. The capture fluid includes a polar aprotic fluid immiscible with water and having a viscosity of from 5 to 200 centipoise at 25° C. The capture fluid further includes a functionalization compound miscible with the polar aprotic fluid, the functionalization compound comprising a functional group Y reactive with the functional group X of the MX-functional nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of preparing an organosilicon compound via selective silylation of ethylene is disclosed. The method comrises prises reacting via silylation (A) a hydridochlorosilane compound and (B) ethylene in the presence of (C) a catalyst, thereby preparing the organosilicon compound. The silylation may be selectively conducted as a dehydrogenative coupling to prepare the organosilicon ompound as a vinylchlorosilane compound, or as a hydrosilylation to prepare the organosilicon compound as an ethylchlorosilane compound. The catalyst (C) comprises a Ru(0) complex, and may be recycled for use in subsequent silylation reactions without purification. The organosilicon compound prepared according to the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of preparing catalyst particles (the “preparation method”) is disclosed. The preparation method comprises combining a Ru(0) complex and a carrier fluid to form a mixture and heating the mixture at an elevated temperature to nucleate the Ru(0) complex and give the catalyst particles in the carrier fluid. The preparation method optionally comprises isolating the catalyst particles from the carrier fluid. A method of preparing an organosilicon compound via dehydrogenative silylation with the catalyst particles (the “synthesis method”) is also disclosed. The synthesis method comprises reacting (A) an organohydridochlorosilane compound and (B) an alkene compound in the presence of (C) a catalyst, thereby preparing the organosilicon compound. The catalyst (C) of the synthesis method comprises the catalyst particles prepared by the preparation method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing silicon nanoparticles in a plasma reactor including a reaction chamber presenting an inner surface. The method includes introducing a halogen gas into the reaction chamber of the plasma reactor. The method further includes igniting a plasma within the reaction chamber while the halogen gas is present within the reaction chamber. Atoms of the halogen gas at least partially form a coating on the inure surface of the reaction chamber. The method includes introducing a reactant gas mixture including a silicon precursor gas and a first inert gas into the reaction chamber of the plasma reactor. The method also includes forming the silicon nanoparticles in the plasma reactor. A silicon nanoparticles composition is also disclosed. The silicon nanoparticles composition comprises the silicon nanoparticles produced according to the method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing a nanoparticle composition. The method includes forming a nanoparticle aerosol in a low pressure reactor, wherein the aerosol comprises MX-functional nanoparticles entrained in a gas, where M is an independently selected Group IV element and X is a functional group independently selected from H and a halogen atom. The method further includes collecting the MX-functional nanoparticles of the aerosol in a capture fluid, where the capture fluid is in fluid communication with the low pressure reactor. The capture fluid includes a polar aprotic fluid immiscible with water and having a viscosity of from 5 to 200 centipoise at 25° C. The capture fluid further includes a functionalization compound miscible with the polar aprotic fluid, the functionalization compound comprising a functional group Y reactive with the functional group X of the MX-functional nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of preparing a composite article and the composite article prepared thereby are disclosed. The method comprises combining a precursor compound and nanoparticles produced via a plasma process to form a composition. The method further comprises forming the composite article from the composition. The composite article comprises a host matrix comprising SiO4/2 units with the nanoparticles dispersed in the host matrix.

Abstract: A method of preparing a composite article and the composite article prepared thereby are disclosed. The method comprises combining an organic compound and nanoparticles produced via a plasma process to form an organic composition. The method further comprises forming the composite article from the organic composition. The composite article comprises an organic polymer matrix with the nanoparticles dispersed in the organic polymer matrix.