Abstract: A fluorescent nanocomposite which includes a thallium doped gadolinium chalcogenide having formula TlxGd1-xY, wherein x is 0.01 to 0.1, and Y is selected from the group consisting of S, Se, or Te, and a benzothiazolium salt bound to a surface of the thallium doped gadolinium chalcogenide. A method of detecting antimony ions in a fluid sample whereby the fluid sample is contacted with the fluorescent nanocomposite to form a mixture, and a fluorescence emission profile of the mixture is measured to determine a presence or absence of antimony ions in the fluid sample, wherein a reduction in intensity of a fluorescence emissions peak associated with the fluorescent nanocomposite indicates the presence of antimony ions in the fluid sample.

Abstract: A nanostructured material having a coral reef morphology of nanoflake walls is described. The nanostructured material comprises a Fe(II)/Fe(III) layered double hydroxide intercalated with an azo dye, and a synthesis method is discussed. The nanostructured material may be used to remove a contaminant from a solution by adsorption. The nanostructured material may be cleaned and reused with high adsorption efficiency.

Abstract: A star-shape nanoparticle that adsorbs arsenic in a solution, a method of producing the star-shape nanoparticle, and a method of determining an arsenic concentration in an arsenic-containing solution via the star-shape nanoparticle and fluorescence spectroscopy are provided. Various embodiments of the star-shape nanoparticle, the method of producing thereof, and the method of using thereof to determine an arsenic concentration in a solution are also provided.

Abstract: A star-shape nanoparticle that adsorbs arsenic in a solution, a method of producing the star-shape nanoparticle, and a method of determining an arsenic concentration in an arsenic-containing solution via the star-shape nanoparticle and fluorescence spectroscopy are provided. Various embodiments of the star-shape nanoparticle, the method of producing thereof, and the method of using thereof to determine an arsenic concentration in a solution are also provided.

Abstract: A nanostructured material having a coral reef morphology of nanoflake walls is described. The nanostructured material comprises a Fe(II)/Fe(III) layered double hydroxide intercalated with an azo dye, and a synthesis method is discussed. The nanostructured material may be used to remove a contaminant from a solution by adsorption. The nanostructured material may be cleaned and reused with high adsorption efficiency.

Abstract: A method of transferring a graphene sheet comprising one or more layers of graphene formed on a metal film, such as a copper film, coating a surface of a metal or alloy substrate onto a target substrate. The method includes fixedly contacting the graphene sheet with a contacting surface of the target substrate by applying substantially uniform pressure and heat on a layered assembly. The layered assembly comprises the metal or alloy substrate, the graphene sheet, and the target substrate. At least one layer of graphene of the graphene sheet formed on the copper film coating the surface of the metal or alloy substrate is transferred onto the contacting surface of the target substrate by the substantially uniform pressure and heat, and the at least one layer of graphene forms a graphene film on the contacting surface of the target substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing pristine graphene of controllable thickness including monolayer, bilayer and multilayer graphene via microwave irradiation assisted intercalation of graphite with dicarboxylic acids of various molecular chain lengths and subsequent exfoliation is disclosed. The average thickness of the graphene and the number of layers in the graphene produced by the method can be controlled by the molecular chain length of the dicarboxylic acid used for intercalation.

Abstract: A method of transferring a graphene sheet comprising one or more layers of graphene formed on a metal film, such as a copper film, coating a surface of a metal or alloy substrate onto a target substrate. The method includes fixedly contacting the graphene sheet with a contacting surface of the target substrate by applying substantially uniform pressure and heat on a layered assembly. The layered assembly comprises the metal or alloy substrate, the graphene sheet, and the target substrate. At least one layer of graphene of the graphene sheet formed on the copper film coating the surface of the metal or alloy substrate is transferred onto the contacting surface of the target substrate by the substantially uniform pressure and heat, and the at least one layer of graphene forms a graphene film on the contacting surface of the target substrate.

Abstract: A method for producing pristine graphene of controllable thickness including monolayer, bilayer and multilayer graphene via microwave irradiation assisted intercalation of graphite with dicarboxylic acids of various molecular chain lengths and subsequent exfoliation is disclosed. The average thickness of the graphene and the number of layers in the graphene produced by the method can be controlled by the molecular chain length of the dicarboxylic acid used for intercalation.