Abstract: Compositions having carbon nanotubes and two or more graphene sheets are disclosed. The carbon nanotubes can be interposed between the graphene sheets within the composition. Applicants have surprisingly found that, in some embodiments, these compositions exhibit superior absorbent and/or electrical properties. The present application also includes methods of making and using these compositions, and capacitors including these compositions.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for manufacturing carbon rods from lignin scrap and for using such lignin-derived carbon rods for manufacturing carbon nanotubes in an arc discharge process.

Abstract: Compositions having carbon nanotubes and two or more graphene sheets are disclosed. The carbon nanotubes can be interposed between the graphene sheets within the composition. Applicants have surprisingly found that, in some embodiments, these compositions exhibit superior absorbent and/or electrical properties. The present application also includes methods of making and using these compositions, and capacitors including these compositions.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for manufacturing carbon rods from lignin scrap and for using such lignin-derived carbon rods for manufacturing carbon nanotubes in an arc discharge process.

Abstract: The present application relates to methods of making a chemical sensor including dispersing mesoporous silica structures, an organic solvent, and water to form a composition; and combining one or more chemical sensing molecules with the composition. In some embodiments, the composition includes not more than about 0.6 g of water relative to about 1 g of the mesoporous silica structures. In some embodiments, the chemical sensing molecules include a silane coupling group coupled to a chemical sensing group. Also discloses herein are chemical sensors and methods of using the chemical sensors. The chemical sensors may, in some embodiments, exhibit superior detection of one or more analytes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparation of polyolefin/inorganic component nanocomposite by in-situ polymerization, in which, a clay is first organically modified and then silica or titanium dioxide nanometer particles are incorporated into the layers of crystal sheets of the clay by sol-gel method. And a metallocene catalyst is then loaded on the above-mentioned material and a finished catalyst is obtained. The said catalyst is used for in-situ polymerization of ethylene or propylene, and polyolefin/clay nanocomposite is finally obtained. The process for preparation of the catalyst according to the present invention is simple, and the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite are high. For example, the Young's modulus and the tensile strength thereof are in the ranges of 700-2600 Mpa, and 20-55 MPa respectively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparation of polyolefin/inorganic component nanocomposite by in-situ polymerization, in which, a clay is first organically modified and then silica or titanium dioxide nanometer particles are incorporated into the layers of crystal sheets of the clay by sol-gel method. And a metallocene catalyst is then loaded on the above-mentioned material and a finished catalyst is obtained. The said catalyst is used for in-situ polymerization of ethylene or propylene, and polyolefin/clay nanocomposite is finally obtained. The process for preparation of the catalyst according to the present invention is simple, and the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite are high. For example, the Young's modulus and the tensile strength thereof are in the ranges of 700-2600 Mpa, and 20-55 MPa respectively.