Abstract: There is disclosed a method of generating terahertz radiation which comprises: (a) depositing an ink on a substrate (2), wherein the ink comprises particles (3) of a semiconductor; (b) allowing the ink to form a coating; (c) shining a laser onto the coating so as to generate terahertz radiation.

Abstract: The invention provides devices for active modification of thermal radiation, the devices comprising: (i) a substrate; (ii) one or more polymeric permeable membranes comprising an ionic liquid electrolyte; (iii) one or more electrodes comprising carbon nanotubes deposited onto the surface of at least one of the one or more polymeric membranes; and (iv) a protective encapsulation layer. The invention also provides methods of making such devices.

Abstract: The invention provides a Raman-detectible composition comprising two or more different Raman-active 2D materials. Also provided is a formulation comprising the Raman-detectible composition and a binder; a substrate comprising the Raman-detectible composition; the use of the Raman-detectible composition to tag a substrate; a method for tagging a substrate with the Raman-detectible composition; and a method for analysing a substrate or formulation for the presence of the Raman detectible composition.

Abstract: The invention provides liquid compositions comprising conductive carbon particles and/or carbon nanoparticles, a thickening agent, and a solvent. The carbon nanoparticles are preferably a mixture of graphite nanoplatelets and carbon nanotubes and the thickening agent is preferably a cellulose derivative. The liquid compositions can be used as ink to print highly conductive films that adhere to paper substrates.

Abstract: Nanoplatelets are prepared from a 3D layered material by: providing a dispersion of the 3D layered material, pressurising the dispersion, rapidly depressurising the dispersion to create shear forces that exfoliate the 3D layered material into nanoplatelets; and/or providing a dispersion of the 3D layered material, forming a first flow of the dispersion along a first flowpath in a first direction, forming a second flow of the dispersion along a second flowpath in a second direction by reversing the first flow or by forming the second flow in a second flowpath, wherein the second flowpath is substantially reverse and non-coaxial with the first flowpath, whereby shear forces between material in the first flowpath and material in the second flowpath exfoliate the 3D layered material into nanoplatelets. Also provided are apparatuses for carrying out the invention and nanoplatelets obtained by the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a composite material, the method comprising: (1) forming a Pickering emulsion comprising a continuous liquid phase, a discontinuous liquid phase, and a 2D material: wherein the discontinuous liquid phase comprises a polysiloxane and a curing agent; (2) leaving the Pickering emulsion formed in step (1) in a sealed system for sufficient time to at least partially cure the polysiloxane: and (3) allowing any remaining liquid to evaporate.

Abstract: Nanoplatelets are prepared from a 3D layered material by: providing a dispersion of the 3D layered material, pressurising the dispersion, rapidly depressurising the dispersion to create shear forces that exfoliate the 3D layered material into nanoplatelets; and/or providing a dispersion of the 3D layered material, forming a first flow of the dispersion along a first flowpath in a first direction, forming a second flow of the dispersion along a second flowpath in a second direction by reversing the first flow or by forming the second flow in a second flowpath, wherein the second flowpath is substantially reverse and non-coaxial with the first flowpath, whereby shear forces between material in the first flowpath and material in the second flowpath exfoliate the 3D layered material into nanoplatelets. Also provided are apparatuses for carrying out the invention and nanoplatelets obtained by the invention.