Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of capturing a gas from an environment by associating the environment (e.g., a pressurized environment) with a porous carbon material that comprises a plurality of pores and a plurality of nucleophilic moieties. In some embodiments, the associating results in sorption of gas components (e.g., CO2 or H2S) to the porous carbon materials. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of releasing captured gas components from porous carbon materials. In some embodiments, the releasing occurs without any heating steps by decreasing environmental pressure. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of disposing released gas components and reusing porous carbon materials. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to porous carbon materials that are used for gas capture.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods of preparing functionalized graphene nanoribbons by (1) exposing a plurality of carbon nanotubes to an alkali metal source in the presence of an aprotic solvent, wherein the exposing opens the carbon nanotubes; and (2) exposing the opened carbon nanotubes to an electrophile to form functionalized graphene nanoribbons. Such methods may also include a step of exposing the opened carbon nanotubes to a protic solvent in order to quench any reactive species on the opened carbon nanotubes. Further embodiments of the present invention pertain to graphene nanoribbons formed by the methods of the present invention. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to nanocomposites and fibers containing the aforementioned graphene nanoribbons.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to materials for use in CO2 capture in high pressure environments. In some embodiments, the materials include a porous carbon material containing a plurality of pores for use in a high pressure environment. Additional embodiments pertain to methods of utilizing the materials of the present disclosure to capture CO2 from various environments. In some embodiments, the materials of the present disclosure selectively capture CO2 over hydrocarbon species in the environment.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of producing a graphene material by exposing a polymer to a laser source. In some embodiments, the exposing results in formation of a graphene from the polymer. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of separating the formed graphene from the polymer to form an isolated graphene. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of incorporating the graphene material or the isolated graphene into an electronic device, such as an energy storage device. In some embodiments, the graphene is utilized as at least one of an electrode, current collector or additive in the electronic device. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the graphene materials, isolated graphenes, and electronic devices that are formed by the methods of the present disclosure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating oxidative stress in a subject by administering a therapeutic composition to the subject. In some embodiments, the therapeutic composition comprises a carbon nanomaterial with anti-oxidant activity. In some embodiments, the anti-oxidant activity of the carbon nanomaterial corresponds to ORAC values between about 200 to about 15,000. In some embodiments, the administered carbon nanomaterials include at least one of single-walled nanotubes, double-walled nanotubes, triple-walled nanotubes, multi-walled nanotubes, ultra-short nanotubes, graphene, graphene nanoribbons, graphite, graphite oxide nanoribbons, carbon black, oxidized carbon black, hydrophilic carbon clusters, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the carbon nanomaterial is an ultra-short single-walled nanotube that is functionalized with a plurality of solubilizing groups.

Abstract: Methods for dissolving carbon materials such as, for example, graphite, graphite oxide, oxidized graphene nanoribbons and reduced graphene nanoribbons in a solvent containing at least one superacid are described herein. Both isotropic and liquid crystalline solutions can be produced, depending on the concentration of the carbon material The superacid solutions can be formed into articles such as, for example, fibers and films, mixed with other materials such as, for example, polymers, or used for functionalization of the carbon material. The superacid results in exfoliation of the carbon material to produce individual particles of the carbon material. In some embodiments, graphite or graphite oxide is dissolved in a solvent containing at least one superacid to form graphene or graphene oxide, which can be subsequently isolated. In some embodiments, liquid crystalline solutions of oxidized graphene nanoribbons in water are also described.

Abstract: The present disclosure pertains to electrodes that include a nickel-based material and at least one porous region with a plurality of nickel hydroxide moieties on a surface of the nickel-based material. The nickel-based material may be a nickel foil in the form of a film. The porous region of the electrode may be directly associated with the surface of the nickel-based material. The nickel hydroxide moieties may be in crystalline form and embedded with the porous region. The electrodes of the present disclosure may be a component of an energy storage device, such as a capacitor. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of fabricating the electrodes by anodizing a nickel-based material to form at least one porous region on a surface of the nickel-based material; and hydrothermally treating the porous region to form nickel hydroxide moieties associated with the porous region.

Abstract: Various aspects of the present invention pertain to methods of sorption of various materials from an environment, including radioactive elements, chlorates, perchlorates, organohalogens, and combinations thereof. Such methods generally include associating graphene oxides with the environment. This in turn leads to the sorption of the materials to the graphene oxides. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention also include a step of separating the graphene oxides from the environment after the sorption of the materials to the graphene oxides. More specific aspects of the present invention pertain to methods of sorption of radionuclides (such as actinides) from a solution by associating graphene oxides with the solution and optionally separating the graphene oxides from the solution after the sorption.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods of preparing functionalized graphene nanoribbons. Such methods include: (1) exposing a plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to an alkali metal source in the presence of an aprotic solvent to open them; and (2) exposing the opened CNTs to an electrophile to form functionalized graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). The methods may also include a step of exposing the opened CNTs to a protic solvent to quench any reactive species on them. Additional methods include preparing unfunctionalized GNRs by: (1) exposing a plurality of CNTs to an alkali metal source in the presence of an aprotic solvent to open them; and (2) exposing the opened CNTs to a protic solvent to form unfunctionalized GNRs.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to catalysts for mediating oxygen reduction reactions, such as the conversion of oxygen to at least one of H2O, H2O2, O2?, OH?, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of utilizing the catalysts to mediate oxygen reduction reactions. In some embodiments, the catalyst includes a carbon source and a dopant associated with the carbon source. In some embodiments, the catalyst has a three-dimensional structure, a density ranging from about 1 mg/cm3 to about 10 mg/cm3, and a surface area ranging from about 100 m2/g to about 1,000 m2/g. In some embodiments, the carbon source includes graphene nanoribbons, and the dopant includes boron-nitrogen heteroatoms. In some embodiments, the dopant is covalently associated with the edges of the carbon source. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making the aforementioned catalysts.

Abstract: Provided are methods of making graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid materials. Such methods generally include: (1) associating a graphene film with a substrate; (2) applying a catalyst and a carbon source to the graphene film; and (3) growing carbon nanotubes on the graphene film. The grown carbon nanotubes become covalently linked to the graphene film through carbon-carbon bonds that are located at one or more junctions between the carbon nanotubes and the graphene film. In addition, the grown carbon nanotubes are in ohmic contact with the graphene film through the carbon-carbon bonds at the one or more junctions. The one or more junctions may include seven-membered carbon rings. Also provided are the formed graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid materials.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the resistive memory cells and arrays discussed herein comprise: (1) a first electrode; (2) a second electrode; (3) resistive memory material; and (4) a diode. The resistive memory material is selected from the group consisting of SiOx, SiOxNy, SiOxNyH, SiOxCz, SiOxCzH, and combinations thereof, wherein each of x, y and z are equal or greater than 1 or equal or less than 2. The diode may be any suitable diode, such as n-p diodes, p-n diodes, and Schottky diodes.

Abstract: A porous memory device, such as a memory or a switch, may provide a top and bottom electrodes with a memory material layer (e.g. SiOx) positioned between the electrodes. The memory material layer may provide a nanoporous structure. In some embodiments, the nanoporous structure may be formed electrochemically, such as from anodic etching. Electroformation of a filament through the memory material layer may occur internally through the layer rather than at an edge at extremely low electro-forming voltages. The porous memory device may also provide multi-bit storage, high on-off ratios, long high-temperature lifetime, excellent cycling endurance, fast switching, and lower power consumption.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of making magnetic carbon nanoribbons. Such methods generally include: (1) forming carbon nanoribbons by splitting carbon nanomaterials; and (2) associating graphene nanoribbons with magnetic materials, precursors of magnetic materials, or combinations thereof. Further embodiments of the present disclosure also include a step of reducing the precursors of magnetic materials to magnetic materials. In various embodiments, the associating occurs before, during or after the splitting of the carbon nanomaterials. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure further comprise a step of (3) functionalizing the carbon nanoribbons with functionalizing agents. In more specific embodiments, the functionalizing occurs in situ during the splitting of carbon nanomaterials. In further embodiments, the carbon nanoribbons are edge-functionalized.

Abstract: A highly oxidized form of graphene oxide and methods for production thereof are described in various embodiments of the present disclosure. In general, the methods include mixing a graphite source with a solution containing at least one oxidant and at least one protecting agent and then oxidizing the graphite source with the at least one oxidant in the presence of the at least one protecting agent to form the graphene oxide. Graphene oxide synthesized by the presently described methods is of a high structural quality that is more oxidized and maintains a higher proportion of aromatic rings and aromatic domains than does graphene oxide prepared in the absence of at least one protecting agent. Methods for reduction of graphene oxide into chemically converted graphene are also disclosed herein. The chemically converted graphene of the present disclosure is significantly more electrically conductive than is chemically converted graphene prepared from other sources of graphene oxide.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to gas barrier composites that include a polymer matrix and graphene nanoribbons dispersed in the polymer matrix. The polymer matrix can include a phase-separated block copolymer with a hard phase domain and a soft phase domain. Like-wise, the functionalized graphene nanoribbons can include edge-functionalized graphene nanoribbons with concentrations that range from about 0.1% by weight to about 5% by weight of the gas barrier composites. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of making gas barrier composites by dispersing graphene nanoribbons in a polymer matrix. In some embodiments, the dispersing lowers the permeability of a gas through the gas barrier composite and causes phase separation of block copolymers in the polymer matrix. In some embodiments, the dispersion of graphene nanoribbons in the polymer matrix lowers the gas effective diffusivity of the gas barrier composite by three orders of magnitude.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of treating an inflammatory disease in a subject by administering a carbon material to the subject. In some embodiments, the carbon material selectively targets T cells in the subject. In some embodiments, the carbon material includes poly(ethylene glycol)-functionalized hydrophilic carbon clusters. In some embodiments, the administration of the carbon material to the subject reduces or inhibits T cell-mediated reactions in the subject. In some embodiments, the carbon material selectively targets T cells over other types of immune cells by preferential uptake into the T cells. In some embodiments, the carbon material reduces or inhibits proliferation of targeted T cells, reduces or inhibits cytokine production by targeted T cells, and reduces intracellular oxidant content in targeted T cells. In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of modulating T cells ex-vivo by incubating the T cells with a carbon material.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the resistive memory cells and arrays discussed herein comprise: (1) a first electrode; (2) a second electrode; (3) resistive memory material; and (4) a diode. The resistive memory material is selected from the group consisting of SiOx, SiOxH, SiOxNy, SiOxNyH, SiOxCz, SiOxCzH, and combinations thereof, wherein each of x, y and z are equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than 2. The diode may be any suitable diode, such as n-p diodes, p-n diodes, and Schottky diodes.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to nanocomposites for detecting hydrocarbons in a geological structure. In some embodiments, the nanocomposites include: a core particle; a polymer associated with the core particle; a sulfur-based moiety associated with the polymer; and a releasable probe molecule associated with the core particle, where the releasable probe molecule is releasable from the core particle upon exposure to hydrocarbons. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of detecting hydrocarbons in a geological structure by utilizing the nanocomposites of the present disclosure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of preparing graphene nanoribbons from a graphene film associated with a meniscus, where the method comprises patterning the graphene film while the meniscus acts as a mask above a region of the graphene film, and where the patterning results in formation of graphene nanoribbons from the meniscus-masked region of the graphene film. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods of preparing wires from a film associated with a meniscus, where the method comprises patterning the film while the meniscus acts as a mask above a region of the film, and where the patterning results in formation of a wire from the meniscus-masked region of the film. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to chemical methods of preparing wires from water-reactive materials.