Abstract: The present invention describes the use of nanoparticle interfaces to chemically process solid nanomaterials into ones with tailorable core-void-shell architectures. The internal void sizes are proportional to the nanoparticle size, the shell thickness and composition, and can be either symmetric or asymmetric depending on the nature of the interface, each of which is controlled by the process of making.

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of nanoparticle interfaces to chemically process solid nanomaterials into ones with tailorable core-void-shell architectures. The internal void sizes are proportional to the nanoparticle size, the shell thickness and composition, and can be either symmetric or asymmetric depending on the nature of the interface, each of which is controlled by the process of making.

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of nanoparticle interfaces to chemically process solid nanomaterials into ones with tailorable core-void-shell architectures. The internal void sizes are proportional to the nanoparticle size, the shell thickness and composition, and can be either symmetric or asymmetric depending on the nature of the interface, each of which is controlled by the process of making.

Abstract: The present invention describes the use of nanoparticle interfaces to chemically process solid nanomaterials into ones with tailorable core-void-shell architectures. The internal void sizes are proportional to the nanoparticle size, the shell thickness and composition, and can be either symmetric or asymmetric depending on the nature of the interface, each of which is controlled by the process of making.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of making a nanocluster. The method comprises providing a surface comprising at least one anchoring biomolecule, wherein the surface is in a solution; adding an initial recognition-nano-component to the solution wherein the initial recognition-nano-component comprises i) a nanoparticle and one specifically-bindable-biomolecule, or ii) a nanoparticle and two different types of specifically-bindable-biomolecules, wherein a biomolecule of the initial recognition-nano-component specifically binds to the anchoring biomolecule; and adding a releasing biomolecule to the solution, wherein the releasing biomolecule binds to the anchoring biomolecule with a greater binding strength than the anchoring biomolecule binds to the initial recognition-nano-component, or wherein the releasing biomolecule binds to the initial recognition-nano-component with a greater binding strength than anchoring biomolecule binds to the initial recognition-nano-component, thereby making a nanocluster.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward single metal and alloy nanoparticles and synthesis methods for preparing single metal and alloy nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method is featured for fabricating Carbon-supported AuPt nanoparticle catalysts for fuel cells, and particularly fuel cells using methanol as the fuel. The method prepares AuPt-based fuel cell catalysts having a wide range of controllable Au:Pt ratios. The AuPt catalysis are supportable on both carbon black (C) and C/TiO2 support materials. These materials demonstrate electro-catalytic activity towards CO and methanol oxidation, and O2 reduction. The same catalyst material is useful in constructing both anodes and cathodes, and demonstrates bifunctional activity.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing carbon supported, ternary alloy composition core-shell PtVFe nanoparticles for use as fuel cell electrocatalysts. These catalysts have been found particularly useful for oxygen reduction reactions. The alloy nanoparticles can be assembled on carbon supports which then may undergo subsequent activation and/or calcination treatments. The method, combined with new synthetic feed and processing conditions, provides core-shell PtVFe alloy nanoparticles of 1–3 nm size. The catalyst-produced high monodispersity, controlled composition are highly dispersed, and have a uniform distribution. Finally, the correlation of the preparation and treatment parameters to the ORR catalytic activities of the prepared nanoparticles is described. The catalysts exhibit ORR in the range of 2 to 4 times more than a standard Pt/carbon catalyst.