Abstract: A general and controlled method for synthesizing amorphous Pd-based nanoparticles is provided. The provided method comprises: dissolving a Pd precursor in a first solvent to form a first solution; mixing the first solution with a second solvent to form a first mixture; adding surfactant into the first mixture to form a second mixture; heating the second mixture to render a second solution; adding other metal precursor into the second solution to form a third mixture; heating the third mixture to render a third solution; naturally cooling down the third solution; adding ethanol to the third solution to form a fourth solution; and collecting the amorphous Pd-based nanoparticles from the fourth solution.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method for preparing expanded hexagonal boron nitride comprises mixing a boron compound and a carbon template in an organic solvent; removing the organic solvent to provide a dried mixture of the boron compound and the carbon template; exposing the dried mixture to a nitrogen-containing gas under conditions effective to provide a crude product comprising hexagonal boron nitride; removing the carbon template from the crude product to provide the expanded hexagonal boron nitride.