Abstract: The method of measuring the partition coefficient of a test molecule comprises incorporating the molecule in a composition of nanoparticles having a porous surface and a first solvent, wherein a second solvent has been absorbed into the porous surface, and said first solvent is immiscible with said second solvent, and then separating the nanoparticles and the first solvent. The amount of the molecule which remains in the first solvent is determined to enable calculation of the partition coefficient. The nanoparticles may have a magnetic core to allow easy separation.

Abstract: The present invention provides catalytic polymer networks containing an active atom of tin, silicon or germanium having a high activity with reduced toxicity due to reduced leaching of the active atom from the polymer.

Abstract: Microparticles having a ferromagnetic core encapsulated in a graphitic curved shell containing hetero atoms are prepared by providing a solution containing source material of a ferromagnetic metal, carbon and the hetero atoms e.g. N, forming solidified particles containing source material of the ferromagnetic metal, carbon and the hetero atoms from the solution, and pyrolysing the solidified particles in inert gas so as to form the ferromagnetic core and said encapsulating graphitic coating. Small particles, e.g. of core size 10-150 nm, having good particle size distribution can be obtained, which are useful in catalysis.

Abstract: Microparticles having a metal-containing core encapsulated in a graphitic shell containing hetero atoms are made by forming, in a liquid medium, colloidal particles containing a metal-oxo species of Fe, Co, Ni and Pd, colloidally stabilized by a surfactant and containing source material of carbon and the hetero atoms. These particles are pyrolyzed in inert gas to yield the microparticles. In an alternative method, silica gel coated particles are formed by colloidally stabilizing particles containing metal species and forming silica at the boundary of the stabilized particle.