Abstract: Disclosed herein are metal oxides, metal oxide surfaces, and methods of using metal oxides and metal oxide surfaces for matrix-free analysis, identification, and characterization of small molecular mass compounds. The disclosed compounds and methods may be used with laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry. The disclosed surfaces may aid in producing mass/charge spectra having low or no interference found with traditional matrices. In some aspects, the method may be used to produce molecular ions. The disclosed compounds, surfaces, and methods may be used to analyze complex mixtures including fuels, vegetable shortening, lipid extracts from a variety of organic sources such as animals, plants, bacteria, algae, viruses, etc.

Abstract: ZnO structures comprising crystalline ZnO micro or nanorods and methods for making and using these ZnO structures are provided. The side surface of the central portion of each rod may comprise planes of the form {1 0 ?1 0}, {0 1 ?1 0}, {?1 1 0 0}, {?1 0 1 0}, {0 ?1 1 0} and {1 ?1 0 0}, with central edge regions including a crystallographic plane of the form {2 ?1 ?1 0} or {?2 1 1 0}. The tip of the rod may comprise planes of the form {1 0 ?1 1} {0 1 ?1 1}, {?1 1 0 1}, {?1 0 1 1}, {0 ?1 1 1} and {1 ?1 0 1} with tip edge regions including a crystallographic plane of the form {2 ?1 ?1 2} or {?2 1 1 2}. The rods may be joined at or near their bases to form the “flower-like” morphology. In an embodiment, a synthesis mixture is prepared by dissolving a zinc salt in an alcohol solvent, followed by addition of at least two additives. The zinc salt may be zinc nitrate hexahydrate, the first additive may be benzyl alcohol and the second additive may be urea.

Abstract: ZnO structures comprising crystalline ZnO micro or nanorods and methods for making and using these ZnO structures are provided. The side surface of the central portion of each rod may comprise planes of the form {1 0 ?1 0}, {0 1 ?1 0}, {?1 1 0 0}, {?1 0 1 0}, {0 ?1 1 0} and {1 ?1 0 0}, with central edge regions including a crystallographic plane of the form {2 ?1 ?1 0} or {?2 1 1 0}. The tip of the rod may comprise planes of the form {1 0 ?1 1} {0 1 ?1 1}, {?1 1 0 1}, {?1 0 1 1}, {0 ?1 1 1} and {1 ?1 0 1} with tip edge regions including a crystallographic plane of the form {2 ?1 ?1 2} or {?2 1 1 2}. The rods may be joined at or near their bases to form the “flower-like” morphology. In an embodiment, a synthesis mixture is prepared by dissolving a zinc salt in an alcohol solvent, followed by addition of at least two additives. The zinc salt may be zinc nitrate hexahydrate, the first additive may be benzyl alcohol and the second additive may be urea.

Abstract: ZnO structures comprising crystalline ZnO micro or nanorods and methods for making and using these ZnO structures are provided. The side surface of the central portion of each rod may comprise planes of the form {1 0 ?1 0}, {0 1 ?1 0}, {?1 1 0 0}, {?1 0 1 0}, {0 ?1 1 0} or {1 ?1 0 0}, with central edge regions including a crystallographic plane of the form {2 ?1 ?1 0} or {?2 1 1 0}. The tip of the rod may comprise planes of the form {1 0 ?1 1} {0 1 ?1 1}, {?1 1 0 1}, {?1 0 1 1}, {0 ?1 1 1} or {1 ?1 0 1} with tip edge regions including a crystallographic plane of the form {2 ?1 ?1 2} or {?2 1 1 2}. The rods may be joined at or near their bases to form a “flower-like” morphology. In an embodiment, a synthesis mixture is prepared by dissolving a zinc salt in an alcohol solvent, followed by addition of at least two additives. The zinc salt may be zinc nitrate hexahydrate, the first additive may be benzyl alcohol and the second additive may be urea.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are metal oxides, metal oxide surfaces, and methods of using metal oxides and metal oxide surfaces for matrix-free analysis, identification, and characterization of small molecular mass compounds. The disclosed compounds and methods may be used with laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry. The disclosed surfaces may aid in producing mass/charge spectra having low or no interference found with traditional matrices. In some aspects, the method may be used to produce molecular ions.

Abstract: ZnO structures comprising crystalline ZnO micro or nanorods and methods for making and using these ZnO structures are provided. The side surface of the central portion of each rod may comprise planes of the form {1 0 ?1 0}, {0 1 ?1 0}, {?1 1 0 0}, {?1 0 1 0}, {0 ?1 1 0} or {1 ?1 0 0}, with central edge regions including a crystallographic plane of the form {2 ?1 ?1 0} or {?2 1 1 0}. The tip of the rod may comprise planes of the form {1 0 ?1 1} {0 1 ?1 1}, {?1 1 0 1}, {?1 0 1 1}, {0 ?1 1 1} or {1 ?1 0 1} with tip edge regions including a crystallographic plane of the form {2 ?1 ?1 2} or {?2 1 1 2}. The rods may be joined at or near their bases to form a “flower-like” morphology. In an embodiment, a synthesis mixture is prepared by dissolving a zinc salt in an alcohol solvent, followed by addition of at least two additives. The zinc salt may be zinc nitrate hexahydrate, the first additive may be benzyl alcohol and the second additive may be urea.

Abstract: The invention relates to supported polyoxometalates represented by the formula (An)m+ [M4(H2O)10(XW9O33)2]m? or solvates thereof, wherein A represents a cation, n is the number of cations, m is the charge of the polyoxoanion, M is a transition metal, and X is an element selected from the group consisting of As, Sb, Bi, Se and Te, characterized in that the polyoxometalate is supported on a solid support selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, MgO, TiO2, ZrO2, SiO2, mesoporous silica, active carbon, diatomite, clays, zeolites, polyoxometalate salts and mixtures thereof, with the proviso that the polyoxometalate salt supports are different from the supported polyoxometalates defined by the above formula, a process for their preparation and their use for the catalytic oxidation of organic molecules.

Abstract: The invention relates to supported polyoxometalates represented by the formula (An)m+ [M4(H2O)10(XW9O33)2]m? or solvates thereof, wherein A represents a cation, n is the number of cations, m is the charge of the polyoxoanion, M is a transition metal, and X is an element selected from the group consisting of As, Sb, Bi, Se and Te, characterized in that the polyoxometalate is supported on a solid support selected from the group consisting of Al2O3, MgO, TiO2, ZrO2, SiO2, mesoporous silica, active carbon, diatomite, clays, zeolites, polyoxometalate salts and mixtures thereof, with the proviso that the polyoxometalate salt supports are different from the supported polyoxometalates defined by the above formula, a process for their preparation and their use for the catalytic oxidation of organic molecules.