Abstract: Particles of a refractory metal or a refractory-metal compound capable of decomposing or reacting into refractory-metal nanoparticles, elemental silicon, and an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight are combined to form a precursor mixture. The mixture is heating, forming a thermoset and/or metal nanoparticles. Further heating form a composition having nanoparticles of a refractory-metal silicide and a carbonaceous matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition having nanoparticles or particles of a refractory metal, a refractory metal hydride, a refractory metal carbide, a refractory metal nitride, or a refractory metal boride, an organic compound consisting of carbon and hydrogen, and a nitrogenous compound consisting of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The composition, optionally containing the nitrogenous compound, is milled, cured to form a thermoset, compacted into a geometric shape, and heated in a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature that forms a nanoparticle composition comprising nanoparticles of metal nitride and optionally metal carbide. The nanoparticles have a uniform distribution of the nitride or carbide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition having nanoparticles or particles of a refractory metal, a refractory metal hydride, a refractory metal carbide, a refractory metal nitride, or a refractory metal boride, an organic compound consisting of carbon and hydrogen, and a nitrogenous compound consisting of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The composition, optionally containing the nitrogenous compound, is milled, cured to form a thermoset, compacted into a geometric shape, and heated in a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature that forms a nanoparticle composition comprising nanoparticles of metal nitride and optionally metal carbide. The nanoparticles have a uniform distribution of the nitride or carbide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition having nanoparticles or particles of a refractory metal, a refractory metal hydride, a refractory metal carbide, a refractory metal nitride, or a refractory metal boride, an organic compound consisting of carbon and hydrogen, and a nitrogenous compound consisting of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The composition, optionally containing the nitrogenous compound, is milled, cured to form a thermoset, compacted into a geometric shape, and heated in a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature that forms a nanoparticle composition comprising nanoparticles of metal nitride and optionally metal carbide. The nanoparticles have a uniform distribution of the nitride or carbide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition having nanoparticles or particles of boron, a refractory metal, or a refractory metal hydride; organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight or a thermoset made from the organic compound; and a reinforcing material. The metal and organic are combined with the reinforcing material. The mixture is heated for make a ceramic having nanoparticles of a boron or refractory metal nitride, boride, or carbide; a reinforcing material; and a carbonaceous matrix. The ceramic is not a powder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition having nanoparticles or particles of a refractory metal, a refractory metal hydride, a refractory metal carbide, a refractory metal nitride, or a refractory metal boride, an organic compound consisting of carbon and hydrogen, and a nitrogenous compound consisting of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The composition, optionally containing the nitrogenous compound, is milled, cured to form a thermoset, compacted into a geometric shape, and heated in a nitrogen atmosphere at a temperature that forms a nanoparticle composition comprising nanoparticles of metal nitride and optionally metal carbide. The nanoparticles have a uniform distribution of the nitride or carbide.

Abstract: Particles of a refractory metal or a refractory-metal compound capable of decomposing or reacting into refractory-metal nanoparticles, elemental silicon, and an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight are combined to form a precursor mixture. The mixture is heating, forming a thermoset and/or metal nanoparticles. Further heating form a composition having nanoparticles of a refractory-metal silicide and a carbonaceous matrix.

Abstract: Particles of a refractory metal or a refractory-metal compound capable of decomposing or reacting into refractory-metal nanoparticles, elemental silicon, and an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight are combined to form a precursor mixture. The mixture is heating, forming a thermoset and/or metal nanoparticles. Further heating form a composition having nanoparticles of a refractory-metal silicide and a carbonaceous matrix. The composition is not in the form of a powder.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of: providing a mixture of a polymer or a resin and a transition metal compound, producing a fiber from the mixture, and heating the fiber under conditions effective to form a carbon nanotube-containing carbonaceous fiber. The polymer or resin is an aromatic polymer or a precursor thereof and the mixture is a neat mixture or is combined with a solvent. Also disclosed are a carbonaceous fiber or carbonaceous nanofiber sheet having at least 15 wt. % carbon nanotubes, a fiber or nanofiber sheet having the a polymer or a resin and the transition metal compound, and a fiber or nanofiber sheet having an aromatic polymer and metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of: reacting a dihydroxybenzene with bromine to form a bromodihydroxybenzene; reacting the bromodihydroxybenzene with trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride or trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride to form a bromotrifluoromethanesulfonatobenzene; and reacting the bromotrifluoromethanesulfonatobenzene with phenylacetylene to form a phenylethynylbenzene.

Abstract: A composition having nanoparticles of a boron carbide and a carbonaceous matrix. The composition is not in the form of a powder. A composition comprising boron and an organic component. The organic component is an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight or a thermoset made from the organic compound. A method of combining boron and an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight, and heating to form boron carbide or boron nitride nanoparticles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of: providing a mixture of a polymer or a resin and a transition metal compound, producing a fiber from the mixture, and heating the fiber under conditions effective to form a carbon nanotube-containing carbonaceous fiber. The polymer or resin is an aromatic polymer or a precursor thereof and the mixture is a neat mixture or is combined with a solvent. Also disclosed are a carbonaceous fiber or carbonaceous nanofiber sheet having at least 15 wt. % carbon nanotubes, a fiber or nanofiber sheet having the a polymer or a resin and the transition metal compound, and a fiber or nanofiber sheet having an aromatic polymer and metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of making an organic salt comprising: reacting a polyphenol with a base and optionally a dihaloaromatic compound. The polyphenol is resveratrol; dihydroresveratrol; 4,4?-(but-2-ene-1,4-diyl)bis-2-methoxyphenol; 4,4?-(1,4-butane-diyl)bis-2-methoxyphenol; 1-ethyl-2-methyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-hydroxyindane; 4,4?-(ethane-1,1-diyl)diphenol; 5,5?-methylenebis(2-methoxy-4-methylphenol); 4,4?-methylenebis(5-isopropyl-2-methylphenol); 4,4?-(1-ethyl-2-methyl-1,3-propanediyl)bisphenol; or 5,5?-(ethane-1,1-diyl)bis(2-methoxy-4-methylphenol. The dihaloaromatic compound if present comprises a carbonyl group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfinyl group, or a phosphoryl group. There is a molar excess of the hydroxy groups of the polyphenol relative to halo groups of the dihaloaromatic compound if present. The corresponding phthalonitrile monomers and thermosets made from the organic salts are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition having: a diphthalonitrile compound having at least two phthalonitrile groups; a reactive plasticizer; and an amine curing agent. Also disclosed is a composition having: a diphthalonitrile compound having at least two phthalonitrile groups; a nonreactive plasticizer; and an amine curing agent. Also disclosed is a method of: providing a composition having a phthalonitrile compound; heating the composition to a processing temperature until the composition has a viscosity of 30-40 Pa·s at the processing temperature to form a partially cured composition; placing the partially cured composition into a material chamber of an extrusion machine; heating the partially cured composition and the material chamber to within 10° C. of the processing temperature; and extruding fiber from the extrusion machine.

Abstract: Disclosed is a composition having: a diphthalonitrile compound having at least two phthalonitrile groups; a reactive plasticizer; and an amine curing agent. Also disclosed is a composition having: a diphthalonitrile compound having at least two phthalonitrile groups; a nonreactive plasticizer; and an amine curing agent. Also disclosed is a method of: providing a composition having a phthalonitrile compound; heating the composition to a processing temperature until the composition has a viscosity of 30-40 Pa·s at the processing temperature to form a partially cured composition; placing the partially cured composition into a material chamber of an extrusion machine; heating the partially cured composition and the material chamber to within 10° C. of the processing temperature; and extruding fiber from the extrusion machine.

Abstract: Particles of a refractory metal or a refractory-metal compound capable of decomposing or reacting into refractory-metal nanoparticles, elemental silicon, and an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight are combined to form a precursor mixture. The mixture is heating, forming a thermoset and/or metal nanoparticles. Further heating form a composition having nanoparticles of a refractory-metal silicide and a carbonaceous matrix.

Abstract: A composition having nanoparticles of a boron carbide and a carbonaceous matrix. The composition is not in the form of a powder. A composition comprising boron and an organic component. The organic component is an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight or a thermoset made from the organic compound. A method of combining boron and an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight, and heating to form boron carbide or boron nitride nanoparticles.

Abstract: A composition having nanoparticles of a refractory-metal boride and a carbonaceous matrix. The composition is not in the form of a powder. A composition comprising a metal component, boron, and an organic component. The metal component is nanoparticles or particles of a refractory metal or a refractory-metal compound capable of decomposing into refractory metal nanoparticles. The organic component is an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight or a thermoset made from the organic compound. A method of combining particles of a refractory metal or a refractory-metal compound capable of reacting or decomposing into refractory-metal nanoparticles, boron, and an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight to form a precursor mixture. A composition having nanoparticles of a refractory-metal boride that is not in the form of a powder.

Abstract: A composition having nanoparticles of a refractory-metal carbide or refractory-metal nitride and a carbonaceous matrix. The composition is not in the form of a powder. A composition comprising a metal component and an organic component. The metal component is nanoparticles or particles of a refractory metal or a refractory-metal compound capable of decomposing into refractory metal nanoparticles. The organic component is an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight or a thermoset made from the organic compound. A method of combining particles of a refractory metal or a refractory-metal compound capable of reacting or decomposing into refractory-metal nanoparticles with an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight to form a precursor mixture.

Abstract: A composition having nanoparticles of a refractory-metal carbide or refractory-metal nitride and a carbonaceous matrix. The composition is not in the form of a powder. A composition comprising a metal component and an organic component. The metal component is nanoparticles or particles of a refractory metal or a refractory-metal compound capable of decomposing into refractory metal nanoparticles. The organic component is an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight or a thermoset made from the organic compound. A method of combining particles of a refractory metal or a refractory-metal compound capable of reacting or decomposing into refractory-metal nanoparticles with an organic compound having a char yield of at least 60% by weight to form a precursor mixture.