Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for preparing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-capped gold nanoparticles through the use of hydroquinone as a reducing agent. Such methods generally comprise the steps of: (1) providing a seed solution comprising a gold nanoparticle; (2) providing an aqueous growth solution comprising: (i) cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, (ii) hydrogen tetrachloroaurate, and (iii) hydroquinone; and (3) adding a quantity of the seed solution to the aqueous growth solution.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods for preparing cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-capped gold nanoparticles through the use of hydroquinone as a reducing agent. Such methods generally comprise the steps of: (1) providing a seed solution comprising a gold nanoparticle; (2) providing an aqueous growth solution comprising: (i) cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, (ii) hydrogen tetrachloroaurate, and (iii) hydroquinone; and (3) adding a quantity of the seed solution to the aqueous growth solution.

Abstract: A method of making gold nanorods wherein the total mass of gold nanorods is more than one gram includes (1) adding a seed solution containing gold nanostructures and/or residual NaBH4 reducing agent to an aqueous growth solution to form a nanorod solution; and (2) adding ascorbic acid solution slowly in small incremental portions to the nanorod solution. Gold nanorods made by this process according have an aspect ratio typically from about 1.1 to about 100, an average diameter in a range from about 5-50 nm, and an average length in a range from about 50 to about 200 nm.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to self-assembled compositions forming one dimensional structures that include one or more guest species and method for making such materials. The self-assembling molecules form a self-assembled gel structure that is birefringent and made up from one dimensional structures like nanoribbons with the guest species dispersed throughout the gel. The guest species include nanocrystals, molecules, or other nanometer sized compounds. A ribbon polymer-inorganic nanocrystal hybrid, and a method of creating a ribbon polymer-inorganic crystal hybrid as well as a method of ordering the same to form an ultraviolet lasing media is disclosed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to encapsulated nanotubes, methods of encapsulating carbon nanotubes, and uses for encapsulated nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are encapsulated by self assembly of Uses of the present invention include making arrays as a basis for synthesis of carbon fibers.