Abstract: A facile solvothermal method can be used to synthesize metal alkanoate nanoparticles using a metal nitrate precursor, alcohol/water, and alkanoic acid. The method can produce lanthanide (e.g., La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, or Yb) and transition metal (e.g., Ag, Co, Cu, or Pb) alkanoate nanoparticles (<100 nm) with spherical morphology. These hybrid nanomaterials adopt a lamellar structure consisting of inorganic metal cation layers separated by an alkanoate anion bilayer and exhibit liquid crystalline phases during melting. The metal alkanoate nanoparticles can be calcined to produce metal oxide nanoparticles.

Abstract: Lanthanide oxides and mixed lanthanide oxides can be produced using furnace or microwave assisted solid-state synthesis. The use of Ln-tri(methylsilyl)amide-based precursors yields spherical nanoparticles. The formation of spherical shaped nanoparticles is likely due to the preferential single-step decomposition of the Ln-TMS as well as the low activation energy to overcome decomposition. Reaction temperature, initial metal ion ratio, and reaction dwell time can be used to control the final nanoparticle size. The method enables solvent-free, high-yield synthesis of morphology-controlled lanthanide oxides.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for attaching nanomaterials containing hexagonal lattices to polymer surfaces. For example, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be attached to polycarbonate, polyethylene, or epoxy surfaces by amination of the polymer surface, functionalization of the surfaces of CNTs with ester groups, and reacting the aminated surface of the polymer with the ester groups of the functionalized surfaces of the CNTs in an organic solvent to chemically bind the CNTs to the polymer surface.

Abstract: Refractory transition metal-carbide (RTM-C) fibers were synthesized via the Forcespinning™ method. This method allows for simple and rapid synthesis of these RTM-C fibers with the ability to make grams of fibers quickly.

Abstract: Lanthanide oxides and mixed lanthanide oxides can be produced using furnace or microwave assisted solid-state synthesis. The use of Ln-tri(methylsilyl)amide-based precursors yields spherical nanoparticles. The formation of spherical shaped nanoparticles is likely due to the preferential single-step decomposition of the Ln-TMS as well as the low activation energy to overcome decomposition. Reaction temperature, initial metal ion ratio, and reaction dwell time can be used to control the final nanoparticle size. The method enables solvent-free, high-yield synthesis of morphology-controlled lanthanide oxides.

Abstract: A facile solvothermal method can be used to synthesize metal alkanoate nanoparticles using a metal nitrate precursor, alcohol/water, and alkanoic acid. The method can produce lanthanide (e.g., La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, or Yb) and transition metal (e.g., Ag, Co, Cu, or Pb) alkanoate nanoparticles (<100 nm) with spherical morphology. These hybrid nanomaterials adopt a lamellar structure consisting of inorganic metal cation layers separated by an alkanoate anion bilayer and exhibit liquid crystalline phases during melting. For example, thermal analysis indicated the formation of Smectic A liquid crystal phases by lanthanide decanoate nanoparticles, with the smaller lanthanides (Ln=Sm, Gd, Er) displaying additional solid intermediate and Smectic C phases. The formation of liquid crystal phases by the smaller lanthanide ions suggests that these nanoscale materials have vastly different thermal properties than their bulk counterparts, which do not exhibit liquid crystal behavior.

Abstract: The ability to generate complex gallium alloys using metal amides, Ga(NR2)3 and M(NR2)n, is easily accomplished by heating the two metal amides in predetermined ratios. The product can be isolated as GaxMy where x and y can vary.

Abstract: Nickel nanoparticles can be synthesized using a variety of precursors (e.g., nickel amides [Ni(NR2)2], alkyls [NR2], and alkoxides [Ni(OR)2]).

Abstract: The ability to generate complex gallium alloys using metal amides, Ga(NR2)3 and M(NR2)n, is easily accomplished by heating the two metal amides in predetermined ratios. The product can be isolated as GaxMy where x and y can vary.

Abstract: A method to produce coinage metal nanoparticles reduces the time and temperature of processing of previous methods. The method enables the production of significantly larger batches of high quality metal nanoparticles. A xylene-based solvent can be used to form low viscosity nanoinks from the metal nanoparticles. Aerosol deposition and inkjet printing of the low viscosity nanoinks can support feature realization in the sub-50 ?m range, useful for electronic device fabrication.

Abstract: Nickel nanoparticles can be synthesized using a variety of precursors (e.g., nickel amides [Ni(NR2)2], alkyls [NR2], and alkoxides [Ni(OR)2]).