Abstract: A compound for use in oil recovery includes a quantum dot and a zwitterionic surfactant. The quantum dot has a diameter no greater than 25 nm and the quantum dot is bonded to the zwitterionic surfactant. A nanofluid for use in oil recovery includes the compound described above and a fluid carrier. A method for recovering oil from a formation includes flooding the formation with a nanofluid. The nanofluid has a quantum dot diameter no greater than 25 nm bonded to a zwitterionic surfactant and a fluid carrier.

Abstract: A compound for use in oil recovery includes a quantum dot and a zwitterionic surfactant. The quantum dot has a diameter no greater than 25 nm and the quantum dot is bonded to the zwitterionic surfactant. A nanofluid for use in oil recovery includes the compound described above and a fluid carrier. A method for recovering oil from a formation includes flooding the formation with a nanofluid. The nanofluid has a quantum dot diameter no greater than 25 nm bonded to a zwitterionic surfactant and a fluid carrier.

Abstract: A method of making a porous three-dimensional graphene mesh includes combining a graphene-containing material and a polymer having a plurality of hydroxyl groups in an alcohol solvent to form a mixture, adding a salt to the mixture, heating the mixture to form a gel, and washing the gel with water to remove the salt from the gel, leaving behind stable pores to form a scaffold. A three-dimensional porous graphene mesh includes a graphene-containing material and a polymer. The polymer is crosslinked with the graphene-containing material such that the Young's Modulus of the mesh is at least about 5 GPa.

Abstract: A method of making a porous three-dimensional graphene mesh includes combining a graphene-containing material and a polymer having a plurality of hydroxyl groups in an alcohol solvent to form a mixture, adding a salt to the mixture, heating the mixture to form a gel, and washing the gel with water to remove the salt from the gel, leaving behind stable pores to form a scaffold. A three-dimensional porous graphene mesh includes a graphene-containing material and a polymer. The polymer is crosslinked with the graphene-containing material such that the Young's Modulus of the mesh is at least about 5 GPa.

Abstract: A method of making a porous three-dimensional graphene mesh includes combining a graphene-containing material and a polymer having a plurality of hydroxyl groups in an alcohol solvent to form a mixture, adding a salt to the mixture, heating the mixture to form a gel, and washing the gel with water to remove the salt from the gel, leaving behind stable pores to form a scaffold. A three-dimensional porous graphene mesh includes a graphene-containing material and a polymer. The polymer is crosslinked with the graphene-containing material such that the Young's Modulus of the mesh is at least about 5 GPa.

Abstract: A method of making a porous three-dimensional graphene mesh includes combining a graphene-containing material and a polymer having a plurality of hydroxyl groups in an alcohol solvent to form a mixture, adding a salt to the mixture, heating the mixture to form a gel, and washing the gel with water to remove the salt from the gel, leaving behind stable pores to form a scaffold. A three-dimensional porous graphene mesh includes a graphene-containing material and a polymer. The polymer is crosslinked with the graphene-containing material such that the Young's Modulus of the mesh is at least about 5 GPa.

Abstract: A method of making a porous three-dimensional graphene mesh includes combining a graphene-containing material and a polymer having a plurality of hydroxyl groups in an alcohol solvent to form a mixture, adding a salt to the mixture, heating the mixture to form a gel, and washing the gel with water to remove the salt from the gel, leaving behind stable pores to form a scaffold. A three-dimensional porous graphene mesh includes a graphene-containing material and a polymer. The polymer is crosslinked with the graphene-containing material such that the Young's Modulus of the mesh is at least about 5 GPa.

Abstract: A method for forming a graphene quantum dot product includes adding an organic starting material to a vessel and heating the organic starting material to a temperature within 20° C. of the organic starting material's boiling temperature for a time no longer than ten minutes to form graphene quantum dots. A method for sensing a graphene quantum dot includes forming a graphene quantum dot, exciting the graphene quantum dot with light having a first wavelength, measuring light emitted by the excited graphene quantum dot at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. A graphene quantum dot includes carbon atoms and nitrogen atoms where the nitrogen atoms are present within the graphene quantum dot at a level between 6.0% and 11.0% of a level of carbon atoms present in the graphene quantum dot.

Abstract: A method for forming a graphene quantum dot product includes adding an organic starting material to a vessel and heating the organic starting material to a temperature within 20° C. of the organic starting material's boiling temperature for a time no longer than ten minutes to form graphene quantum dots. A method for sensing a graphene quantum dot includes forming a graphene quantum dot, exciting the graphene quantum dot with light having a first wavelength, measuring light emitted by the excited graphene quantum dot at a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. A graphene quantum dot includes carbon atoms and nitrogen atoms where the nitrogen atoms are present within the graphene quantum dot at a level between 6.0% and 11.0% of a level of carbon atoms present in the graphene quantum dot.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a hollow silica nanomaterial (HSN). The HSN includes silicon dioxide (SiO2) molecules which join together to form a shell. The shell extends from a first end to a second end and has a generally circular cross section, an inner surface and an opposite outer surface. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method for forming an HSN. The method includes combining polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and an alcohol to form a mixture, adding water to the mixture, adding sodium citrate to the mixture, adding a silicon-containing compound to the mixture, adding a catalyst to the mixture, and collecting hollow silica nanomaterials.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a hollow silica nanomaterial (HSN). The HSN includes silicon dioxide (SiO2) molecules which join together to form a shell. The shell extends from a first end to a second end and has a generally circular cross section, an inner surface and an opposite outer surface. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a method for forming an HSN. The method includes combining polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and an alcohol to form a mixture, adding water to the mixture, adding sodium citrate to the mixture, adding a silicon-containing compound to the mixture, adding a catalyst to the mixture, and collecting hollow silica nanomaterials.

Abstract: A method for producing nanoparticles of a selected size includes selecting an organic solvent based upon a molar volume of the organic solvent, the selected nanoparticle size, and a known relationship between the molar volume and the selected nanoparticle size, and producing nanoparticles having the selected size in a water-in-oil microemulsion comprising the selected organic solvent.

Abstract: A nanoaggregate composition and method for making nanoaggregate compositions constructed with one, two, and three nanoparticle building blocks includes coating the building blocks with a concentration of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) molecules based on a known relationship between the concentration and an extent of aggregation of the building blocks, and producing nanoaggregates from the building blocks comprising a mixture of single-core nanoaggregates, double-core nanoaggregates, and triple-core nanoaggregates as a function of the extent of aggregation.

Abstract: A method for producing nanoparticles of a selected size includes selecting an organic solvent based upon a molar volume of the organic solvent, the selected nanoparticle size, and a known relationship between the molar volume and the selected nanoparticle size, and producing nanoparticles having the selected size in a water-in-oil microemulsion comprising the selected organic solvent.