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: Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods of making wellbore fluids with enhanced electrical conductivities. In some embodiments, such methods comprise: (1) pre-treating a carbon material with an acid; and (2) adding the carbon material to the wellbore fluid. Further embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to wellbore fluids formed by the methods of the present disclosure. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to methods for logging a subterranean well by utilizing the aforementioned wellbore fluids.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of producing graphene nanoplatelets by exposing graphite to a medium to form a dispersion of graphite in the medium. In some embodiments, the exposing results in formation of graphene nanoplatelets from the graphite. In some embodiments, the medium includes the following components: (a) an acid; (b) a dehydrating agent; and (c) an oxidizing agent. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure result in the formation of graphene nanoplatelets at a yield of more than 90%. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure result in the formation of graphene nanoplatelets in bulk quantities that are more than about 1 kg of graphene nanoplatelets. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertains to the formed graphene nanoplatelets. In some embodiments, the graphene nanoplatelets include a plurality of layers, such as from about 1 layer to about 100 layers.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of producing graphene nanoribbons by exposing carbon nanotubes to a medium to result in formation of the graphene nanoribbons from the carbon nanotubes. In some embodiments, the carbon nanotubes include multi-walled carbon nanotubes. In some embodiments, the medium comprises: (a) an acid, (b) a dehydrating agent, and (c) an oxidizing agent. In some embodiments, the acid comprises sulfuric acid, the dehydrating agent comprises oleum (e.g., with a free sulfur trioxide (SO3) content of about 20% by weight of the oleum), and the oxidizing agent comprises ammonium persulfate. In some embodiments, the exposing opens the carbon nanotubes parallel to their longitudinal axis to form graphene nanoribbons. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to the graphene nanoribbons that are formed by the methods of the present disclosure.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of making a composite by associating graphene quantum dots with a carbon material, where the associating results in assembly of the graphene quantum dots on a surface of the carbon material. The methods of the present disclosure may also include a step of doping at least one of the graphene quantum dots and the carbon material with one or more dopants. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to composites that are formed by the methods of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the composites are capable of mediating oxygen reduction reactions, oxygen evolution reactions, and combinations thereof. As such, the composites of the present disclosure can be utilized as an electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reactions, oxygen evolution reactions, and combinations thereof. The composites of the present disclosure can also be utilized as a component of an energy storage device.

Abstract: In various embodiments, electronic devices containing switchably conductive silicon oxide as a switching element are described herein. The electronic devices are two-terminal devices containing a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact in which at least one of the first electrical contact or the second electrical contact is deposed on a substrate to define a gap region therebetween. A switching layer containing a switchably conductive silicon oxide resides in the gap region between the first electrical contact and the second electrical contact. The electronic devices exhibit hysteretic current versus voltage properties, enabling their use in switching and memory applications. Methods for configuring, operating and constructing the electronic devices are also presented herein.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide therapeutic compositions for specifically targeting tumor cells. In some embodiments, the therapeutic compositions generally include: (1) a plurality of nanovectors; (2) one or more active agents associated with the nanovectors, where the one or more active agents have activity against the tumor cells; (3) one or more active agent enhancers associated with the nanovectors; and (4) one or more targeting agents associated with the nanovectors, where the one or more targeting agents have recognition activity for one or more markers of the tumor cells. Additional embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of targeting tumor cells in a subject by administering one or more of the aforementioned therapeutic compositions to the subject. Further embodiments of the present invention pertain to methods of formulating the aforementioned therapeutic compositions for targeting tumor cells in a subject in a personalized manner.

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 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: Magnetic nanoparticles are utilized for magnetically detecting hydrocarbons in a geological structure. The magnetic nanoparticles generally include a core particle and a temperature responsive polymer associated with the core particle. The temperature responsive polymer may include polyacrylamides, polyethylene glycols, or combinations thereof. The temperature responsive polymer facilitates an agglomeration of the nanoparticles in a fluid at an organic/aqueous interface of the fluid, an organic phase of the fluid, or combinations thereof. The agglomeration may occur at a specific temperature or temperature range.

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: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of capturing a gas from an environment by associating the environment with a porous carbon material that includes, without limitation, protein-derived porous carbon materials, carbohydrate-derived porous carbon materials, cotton-derived porous carbon materials, fat-derived porous carbon materials, waste-derived porous carbon materials, asphalt-derived porous carbon materials, coal-derived porous carbon materials, coke-derived porous carbon materials, asphaltene-derived porous carbon materials, oil product-derived porous carbon materials, bitumen-derived porous carbon materials, tar-derived porous carbon materials, pitch-derived porous carbon materials, anthracite-derived porous carbon materials, melamine-derived porous carbon materials, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the associating results in sorption of gas components (e.g., CO2, H2S, and combinations thereof) to the porous carbon material.

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: The present invention provides methods of selectively removing one or more graphene layers from a graphene material by: (1) applying a metal to a surface of the graphene material; and (2) applying a hydrogen containing solution to the surface of the graphene material that is associated with the metal. The hydrogen containing solution dissolves the metal along with one or more layers of graphene associated with the metal, thereby removing the layer(s) of graphene from the graphene material. In some embodiments, the hydrogen containing solution is an acidic solution, such as hydrochloric acid. In some embodiments, the metal is zinc. In some embodiments, the methods of the present invention are utilized to selectively remove one or more layers of graphene from one or more targeted sites on the surface of a graphene material.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present disclosure describes processes for preparing functionalized graphene nanoribbons from carbon nanotubes. In general, the processes include exposing a plurality of carbon nanotubes to an alkali metal source in the absence of a solvent and thereafter adding an electrophile to form functionalized graphene nanoribbons. Exposing the carbon nanotubes to an alkali metal source in the absence of a solvent, generally while being heated, results in opening of the carbon nanotubes substantially parallel to their longitudinal axis, which may occur in a spiralwise manner in an embodiment. The graphene nanoribbons of the present disclosure are functionalized on at least their edges and are substantially defect free. As a result, the functionalized graphene nanoribbons described herein display a very high electrical conductivity that is comparable to that of mechanically exfoliated graphene.

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: Composite materials and methods of preparing C02 capture include: (1) a porous solid support comprising a plurality of porous channels; and (2) a nucleophilic source associated with the porous channels of the porous solid support. The nucleophilic source is capable of converting the captured C02 to poly(C02). Methods of capturing C02 from an environment include associating the environment with the aforementioned composite materials to lead to the capture of C02 from the environment. Such methods may also include a step of releasing the captured C02 from the composite material. The associating step comprises a conversion of the captured C02 to poly(C02) in the composite material. A releasing step may also include a depolymerization of the formed poly(C02).

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 capturing CO2 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 CO2 to the porous carbon materials. In some embodiments, the sorption of CO2 to the porous carbon materials occurs selectively over hydrocarbons in the environment. In some embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of releasing captured CO2 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 CO2 and reusing porous carbon materials. Additional embodiments of the present disclosure pertain to porous carbon materials that are used for CO2 capture.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present disclosure pertains to methods of forming a reinforcing material by: (1) depositing a first material onto a catalyst surface; and (2) forming a second material on the catalyst surface, where the second material is derived from and associated with the first material. In some embodiments, the first material includes, without limitation, carbon nanotubes, graphene nanoribbons, boron nitride nanotubes, chalcogenide nanotubes, carbon onions, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the formed second material includes, without limitation, graphene, hexagonal boron nitride, chalcogenides, and combinations thereof. In additional embodiments, the methods of the present disclosure also include a step of separating the formed reinforcing material from the catalyst surface, and transferring the separated reinforcing material onto a substrate without the use of polymers.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to therapeutic compositions that comprise: (1) a nanovector, (2) an active agent; and (3) a targeting agent, wherein the active agent and the targeting agent are non-covalently associated with the nanovector. The present invention also pertains to methods of treating various conditions in a subject by utilizing the above-described therapeutic compositions. Methods of making the therapeutic compositions are also a subject matter the present invention.