Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a heterogeneous chemical catalyst comprising a substrate, a molecule attached to the substrate via a binding site, wherein the molecule comprises a catalytic active site, and a coating layer coating at least a portion of the binding site. Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of preparing a heterogeneous chemical catalyst. This method comprises providing a substrate, attaching a molecule to the substrate via a binding site, wherein the molecule comprises a catalytic active site, and coating, with a coating layer, at least a portion of the binding site to form the heterogeneous chemical catalyst.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method of affixing molecules to a polymer material, comprising: placing the polymer material in a reactor; removing at least a portion of sorbed water present in the polymer material; exposing the polymer material to a metal precursor to produce an inorganic-organic polymer hybrid material; and soaking the polymer hybrid material in a solution comprising the molecules.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a composition comprising a compound configured to form internal ? bonds, and an inorganic material, wherein the composition is defined by a first surface opposing a second surface and a first thickness measured from the first surface to the second surface of the composition, and a method of making thereof. Further provided herein is a device comprising at least one of the compositions disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein is a photovoltaic device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of modifying properties of a cellulosic material, the method comprising: depositing an additive onto the cellulosic material, the additive being in a vapor phase and configured to modify one or more properties of the cellulosic material; and adsorbing the additive into the cellulosic material, wherein the additive reacts with one or more functional groups of the cellulosic material. The depositing can comprise an atomic layer deposition of the additive onto the cellulosic material. The additive can be configured to react with a nucleophile in the cellulosic material. The one or more properties of the cellulosic material can include: hydrophobicity, thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, fungo-toxicity, toxicity, wettability, tensile strength, corrosiveness, biodegradability, bio-toxicity, or swelling.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hybrid membranes comprising: a microporous polymer, the microporous polymer comprising a continuous polymer phase permeated by a continuous pore phase; and an atomic scale inorganic material dispersed throughout the microporous polymer within the continuous pore phase. Methods of making and use of the hybrid membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are hybrid membranes comprising: a microporous polymer, the microporous polymer comprising a continuous polymer phase permeated by a continuous pore phase; and an atomic scale inorganic material dispersed throughout the microporous polymer within the continuous pore phase. Methods of making and use of the hybrid membranes are also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for diffusing precursors into polymer substrates, including methods of chemically modifying polymeric materials by static, low-pressure infiltration of reactive gaseous molecules.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for diffusing precursors into polymer substrates.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide an assembly for harvesting light comprising a first molecule joined to a metal oxide surface through a surface linking group and a second molecule joined to the metal oxide surface. Such assemblies can harvest light to do useful chemistry, such as in a dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cell, or a molecular catalyst-solar cell system. In other embodiments, the harvested light can be converted into electricity, such as in a dye-sensitized solar cell. Other embodiments of the present invention provide methods for stabilizing a chromophore or a catalyst on a surface. These methods are applicable, for example, to dye-sensitized photoelectrochemical cells where the surface-bound chromophores are known to be unstable under aqueous conditions.