Abstract: Methods for electrochemically oxidizing organic compounds in aqueous solution. The methods include contacting an aqueous solution comprising organic compounds with a first anode and electrochemically oxidizing at least a portion of the organic compounds to provide a first aqueous solution comprising oxidation products; and contacting the first aqueous solution comprising oxidation products with a first cathode and electrochemically reducing at least a portion of the oxidation products to provide a first aqueous solution comprising reduced products and residual oxidizable organic compounds.

Abstract: Nanoparticle compositions and methods for synthesizing multinary chalcogenide CZTSSe nanoparticles containing Cu, Zn, and Sn in combination with S, Se or both are described. The nanoparticles may be incorporated into one or more ink solutions alone or in combination with other chalcogenide-based particles to make thin films useful for photovoltaic applications, including thin films from multilayer particle films having a composition profile. The composition and stoichiometry of the thin films may be further modified by subjecting the particle films to gas or liquid phase chalcogen exchange reactions.

Abstract: Nanoparticle compositions and methods for synthesizing multinary chalcogenide CZTSSe nanoparticles containing Cu, Zn, and Sn in combination with S, Se or both are described. The nanoparticles may be incorporated into one or more ink solutions alone or in combination with other chalcogenide-based particles to make thin films useful for photovoltaic applications, including thin films from multilayer particle films having a composition profile. The composition and stoichiometry of the thin films may be further modified by subjecting the particle films to gas or liquid phase chalcogen exchange reactions.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for forming CIGSSe-based thin films includes depositing at least two layers of particles on a substrate. At least one layer includes a CIGSSe particle having a chemical composition denoted by Cu(InI-xGax)(S1-ySey)2 where 0?x ?1 and 0?y?1.

Abstract: A method of forming a nanoporous film is disclosed. The method comprises forming a coating solution including clusters, surfactant molecules, a solvent, and one of an acid catalyst and a base catalyst. The clusters comprise inorganic groups. The method further comprises aging the coating solution for a time period to select a predetermined phase that will self-assemble and applying the coating solution on a substrate. The method further comprises evaporating the solvent from the coating solution and removing the surfactant molecules to yield the nanoporous film.

Abstract: A method of forming a nanoporous film is disclosed. The method comprises forming a coating solution including clusters, surfactant molecules, a solvent, and one of an acid catalyst and a base catalyst. The clusters comprise inorganic groups. The method further comprises aging the coating solution for a time period to select a predetermined phase that will self-assemble and applying the coating solution on a substrate. The method further comprises evaporating the solvent from the coating solution and removing the surfactant molecules to yield the nanoporous film.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a chalcogenide nanoparticle is provided. The method comprises reacting a metal component with an elemental chalcogen precursor in the presence of an organic solvent. The chalcogenide nanoparticles include ternary, binary and/or multinary chalcogenide nanoparticles and the metal component comprises metal halides or elemental metal precursors. The alkylamine solvent has a normal boiling temperature of above about 220° C. and an average particle size of from about 5 nm to about 1000 nm.