Abstract: Metal-graphene nanocomposites, metal-oxide-graphene nanocomposites, and method for their preparation are described. According to some embodiments, a metal salt is combined with graphite oxide (GO) to form a metal salt-GO composite. The metal salt-GO composite is reduced to a metal-graphene or metal oxide-graphene nanocomposite material. The metals may be magnetic or non-magnetic. In some embodiments, the reduction is conducted via exposure to intensified electromagnetic radiation, such as focused solar radiation.

Abstract: Methods of forming metal nanoparticle-graphene composites are provided. The methods can include mixing a metal precursor with graphite oxide in the presence of a liquid medium to form a metal precursor-graphite oxide mixture, and exfoliating the graphite oxide and reducing the metal precursor in the metal precursor-graphite oxide mixture to deposit metal nanoparticles on a first major surface of a graphene sheet formed by exfoliation of the graphite oxide.

Abstract: Methods of forming graphene functionalized carbon nanotube polymer composites are provided. The methods can include functionalizing a plurality of carbon nanotubes using conducting functional molecules to form a composite nanofiller and embedding the composite nanofiller within a polymer material to form the graphene functionalized carbon nanotube polymer composite.

Abstract: Procedures for the synthesis of zero dimension GQDs based on exfoliation/reduction of surface passivated functionalized graphite oxide (f-GO PEG) are described. The synthesis procedures can include exfoliation/reduction f-GO PEG in presence of hydrogen gas, using focused solar radiation and under vacuum.

Abstract: Methods of forming a diatom-based nanocomposite are provided. The methods include mixing at least one diatomic material, one or more metal precursors, and functionalized graphite oxide to form a mixture. The methods also include exfoliating the mixture in presence of hydrogen to reduce functionalized graphite oxide to graphene and reducing the one or more metal precursors to metal nanoparticles. The methods further include depositing the metal nanoparticles on the diatomic material to form the diatom-based nanocomposite.

Abstract: Methods of forming a metal-alloy graphene nanocomposites are provided. The methods include providing a graphene substrate and forming a conducting polymer layer on a first major surface of the graphene substrate. The methods also include pyrolyzing the conducting polymer layer to form a nitrogen-doped graphene substrate and dispersing a plurality of metal-alloy nanoparticles on a first surface of the nitrogen-doped graphene substrate to form the nanocomposite.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for forming a nanofluid coolant and structures including a nanofluid coolant. In an example, a method of forming a nanofluid coolant may comprise combining a compound with an acid and with purified water to form a solution. The compound may include manganese. The method may further include heating the solution and, after heating the solution, cooling the solution effective to form at least one precipitate that includes manganese and oxygen. The method may further include filtering the at least one precipitate to form a powder that includes manganese oxide nanotubes. The method may further include functionalizing the nanotubes by irradiating them with UV radiation. The method may further include combining the functionalized manganese oxide nanotubes with a polar solvent to form the nanofluid coolant.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for method and apparatus for separating ions, such as arsenic, from a fluid, such as water. The apparatus includes a capacitor. The capacitor includes a material having a nanoscale porous structure, such as a plurality of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), and metal oxide nanoparticles, such as magnetite, disposed over the nanoscale porous structure. A portable water purifier employing the capacitor can effectively remove ions from water with a low voltage applied to the capacitor.

Abstract: Nanocomposite adsorbent materials and methods for their preparation and use are described. As an example, a polyaniline-graphite nanoplatelet nanocomposite may be used to adsorb carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Procedures for the synthesis of zero dimension GQDs based on exfoliation/reduction of surface passivated functionalized graphite oxide (f-GO PEG) are described. The synthesis procedures can include exfoliation/reduction f-GO PEG in presence of hydrogen gas, using focused solar radiation and under vacuum.

Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to a conduit comprising an insulating material in a form of a tube having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface having carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Methods of forming a diatom-based nanocomposite are provided. The methods include mixing at least one diatomic material, one or more metal precursors, and functionalized graphite oxide to form a mixture. The methods also include exfoliating the mixture in presence of hydrogen to reduce functionalized graphite oxide to graphene and reducing the one or more metal precursors to metal nanoparticles. The methods further include depositing the metal nanoparticles on the diatomic material to form the diatom-based nanocomposite.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods to effectively convert carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons by electrochemical and/or photoelectrochemical methods. In one embodiment, a photoelectro-chemical cell may include an anode, a cathode comprising a carbon material, wherein the carbon material is surface functionalized with at least one poly(ionic) liquid, and wherein at least one metallic nanoparticle is disposed on the functionalized carbon material surface, and an energy source configured to irradiate the anode.

Abstract: Methods of forming graphene functionalized carbon nanotube polymer composites are provided. The methods can include functionalizing a plurality of carbon nanotubes using conducting functional molecules to form a composite nanofiller and embedding the composite nanofiller within a polymer material to form the graphene functionalized carbon nanotube polymer composite.

Abstract: Methods of forming metal nanoparticle-graphene composites are provided. The methods can include mixing a metal precursor with graphite oxide in the presence of a liquid medium to form a metal precursor-graphite oxide mixture, and exfoliating the graphite oxide and reducing the metal precursor in the metal precursor-graphite oxide mixture to deposit metal nanoparticles on a first major surface of a graphene sheet formed by exfoliation of the graphite oxide.

Abstract: Methods of forming a metal-alloy graphene nanocomposites are provided. The methods include providing a graphene substrate and forming a conducting polymer layer on a first major surface of the graphene substrate. The methods also include pyrolyzing the conducting polymer layer to form a nitrogen-doped graphene substrate and dispersing a plurality of metal-alloy nanoparticles on a first surface of the nitrogen-doped graphene substrate to form the nanocomposite.

Abstract: Disclosed are nanocomposite-based biosensors. The biosensors include an electrode, a nanocomposite over the surface of the electrode, the nanocomposite comprising a population of carbon nanotubes and a population of magnetic nanoparticles dispersed in the population of carbon nanotubes, wherein the magnetic nanoparticles comprise a ferromagnetic metal or compound thereof, and one or more biomolecules over the surface of the electrode, wherein the biomolecules are capable of undergoing a redox reaction with a target molecule. Also disclosed are nanocomposites, modified electrodes, kits, and methods for using the biosensors.

Abstract: Methods for converting graphite oxide into graphene by exposure to electromagnetic radiation are described. As an example, graphene oxide may be rapidly converted into graphene upon exposure to converged sunlight.

Abstract: Methods for converting graphite oxide into graphene by exposure to electromagnetic radiation are described. As an example, graphene oxide may be rapidly converted into graphene upon exposure to converged sunlight.

Abstract: Metal-graphene nanocomposites, metal-oxide-graphene nanocomposites, and method for their preparation are described. According to some embodiments, a metal salt is combined with graphite oxide (GO) to form a metal salt-GO composite. The metal salt-GO composite is reduced to a metal-graphene or metal oxide-graphene nanocomposite material. The metals may be magnetic or non-magnetic. In some embodiments, the reduction is conducted via exposure to intensified electromagnetic radiation, such as focused solar radiation.