Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to catalysts and preparation of the catalysts, which are defined by sulfides of a transition metal, such as one of molybdenum, tungsten, and vanadium. Precursors for the catalysts include a metal ion source compound, such as molybdenum trioxide, and a sulfide ion source compound, such as thioacetamide. Once the precursors are dissolved if solid and combined in a mixture, homogenous precipitation from the mixture forms the catalysts. Exemplary uses of the catalysts include packing for a methanation reactor that converts carbon monoxide and hydrogen into methane.

Abstract: A method of producing a nickel product (including nickel alloy products and products such as nickel matte) from a nickel intermediate product is disclosed. The method comprises smelting a dried nickel intermediate product in a molten bath-based smelter and forming a molten pool containing a molten metal and a slag, with the molten metal being the nickel product. Intermediate and end products produced by the method are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to catalysts and preparation of the catalysts, which are defined by sulfides of a transition metal, such as one of molybdenum, tungsten, and vanadium. Precipitation forms the catalysts and occurs in a slurry media in which the pH is adjusted. Exemplary uses of the catalysts include packing for a methanation reactor that converts carbon monoxide and hydrogen into methane.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing, controlling the shape and size of, Pb-chalcogenide nanoparticles. The method includes preparing a lead (Pb) precursor containing Pb and a carboxylic acid dissolved in a hydrocarbon solution and preparing a chalcogen element precursor containing a chalcogen element dissolved in a hydrocarbon solution. The amount of Pb and chalcogen in the respective precursor affords for a predetermined Pb:chalcogen element ratio to be present when the Pb precursor is mixed with the chalcogen element precursor. The Pb precursor is mixed with the chalcogen element precursor to form a Pb-chalcogen mixture in such a manner that Pb-chalcogenide nanoparticle nucleation does not occur. A nucleation and growth solution containing a surfactant is also prepared by heating the solution to a nucleation temperature sufficient to nucleate nanoparticles when the Pb-chalcogen element mixture is added.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing delaminated/exfoliated non-ionic inorganic materials, to such materials and their use as additives.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are magic size nanoclusters comprising lead and one or more chalcogens. The disclosed magic size nanoclusters have both spectrally narrow fluorescence and ultra-high quantum efficiencies. Further disclosed herein is a method for preparing PbS, PbSe, and PbTe magic size nanoclusters. The yield of magic size nanoclusters can be increased by using anion sources enriched for secondary phosphines. The use of enriched secondary phosphine anion sources also increases the yield of quantum nanostructures.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and material for using a sorbent material to capture and stabilize mercury. The method for using sorbent material to capture and stabilize mercury contains the following steps. First, the sorbent material is provided. The sorbent material, in one embodiment, is nano-particles. In a preferred embodiment, the nano-particles are unstabilized nano-Se. Next, the sorbent material is exposed to mercury in an environment. As a result, the sorbent material captures and stabilizes mercury from the environment. In the preferred embodiment, the environment is an indoor space in which a fluorescent has broken.

Abstract: CuInS2 nanoparticles have been prepared from single source precursors via microwave irradiation. Also, CuInGaS2 alloy nanoparticles have been prepared. Microwave irradiation methods have allowed an increase in the efficiency of preparation of these materials by providing increased uniformity of heating and shorter reaction times. Nanoparticle growth has been controlled in the about 1 to 5 nm size range by variation of thiolated capping ligand concentrations as well as reaction temperatures and times. Investigation of the photophysical properties of the colloidal nanoparticles has been performed using electronic absorption and luminescence emission spectroscopy. Qualitative nanoparticles sizes have been determined from the photoluminescence (PL) data and compared to TEM images.

Abstract: A method of separating nickel bearing sulphides from mined ores or concentrates of mined ores that contain talc is disclosed. The method comprises treating a slurry of mined ores or concentrates of mined ores in at least one flotation stage and in at least one cleaner circuit. The method further comprises sequenced re-grinding, as described herein, of particles in the slurry.

Abstract: Provided are methods for producing nanostructures and nanostructures obtained thereby. The methods include heating a certain point of a substrate dipped into a precursor solution of the nanostructures so that the nanostructures are grown in a liquid phase environment without evaporation of the precursor solution. The methods show excellent cost-effectiveness because of the lack of a need for precursor evaporation at high temperature. In addition, unlike the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) process performed in a vapor phase, the method includes growing nanostructures in a liquid phase environment, and thus provides excellent safety and eco-friendly characteristics as well as cost-effectiveness. Further, the method includes locally heating a substrate dipped into a precursor solution merely at a point where the nanostructures are to be grown, so that the nanostructures are grown directly at a desired point of the substrate. Therefore, it is possible to grow and produce nanostructures directly in a device.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing metal chalcogenide nanocrystals involving the steps of combining an organodichalcogenide, a metal salt and a ligand compound to form a mixture; degassing the mixture to remove air and water from the mixture; heating the mixture at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the organodichalcogenide for a period of time sufficient to form a metal chalcogenide nanocrystal.

Abstract: This invention provides a fine particle composite comprising fine powder of a sulfide or sulfide complex comprising a given element. The fine particle composite is obtained by a method for producing a fine particle composite comprising fine powder of a sulfide or sulfide complex comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of molybdenum (Mo), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), and rhenium (Re). Such method comprises steps of: preparing a solvent mixture from at least one compound containing an element selected from among molybdenum (Mo), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), rhenium (Re), and sulfur (S); and subjecting the solvent mixture to a hydrothermal or solvothermal reaction. The resulting fine particle composite comprises fine particles of a sulfide or sulfide complex comprising at least one element selected from the group consisting of molybdenum (Mo), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), and rhenium (Re).

Abstract: A semiconductor nanocrystal, wherein the semiconductor nanocrystal shows maximum luminescence peaks at two or more wavelengths and most of the atoms constituting the nanocrystal are present at the surface of the nanocrystal to form defects.

Abstract: Process of making high purity, synthetic FeS2, and an electrochemical battery employing such synthetic FeS2 in the positive electrode. Synthetic FeS2 may be prepared by a sulfidation process comprising reacting ferric oxide, hydrogen sulfide, and elemental sulfur at a temperature above the melting point of element sulfur. Synthetic FeS2 may also be produced by a milling process that comprises (i) milling iron powder and sulfur powder in the presence of a milling media and a processing agent to provide a homogenous powder mixture, and (ii) treating the powder mixture to form FeS2. In the milling process, the powder mixture may be treated to form FeS2 by heating the powder mixture or subjecting the powder mixture to a subsequent milling operation.

Abstract: A method of H2S dissociation which comprises generating radicals or ions. The H2S dissociation is initiated at relatively low temperature, e.g., of less than 1875 K. The residence time for dissociation generally ranges from about 0.01 s to 10 s. In one embodiment, plasmas are used to generate ions for use in the H2S dissociation.

Abstract: A method for synthesizing a chalcogenide nanoparticle is provided. The method comprises reacting a metal component with an elemental chalcogen precursor in the presence of an organic solvent. The chalcogenide nanoparticles include ternary, binary and/or multinary chalcogenide nanoparticles and the metal component comprises metal halides or elemental metal precursors. The alkylamine solvent has a normal boiling temperature of above about 220° C. and an average particle size of from about 5 nm to about 1000 nm.

Abstract: An economic, direct synthetic method for producing water soluble QDs that are ready for bioconjugation is provided. The method can produce aqueous QDs with emission wavelengths varying from 400 nm to 700 nm. Highly luminescent metal sulfide (MS) QDs are produced via an aqueous synthesis route. MS QDs are capped with thiol-containing charged molecules in a single step. The resultant MS QDs exhibit the distinctive excitonic photoluminescence desired of QDs and can be fabricated to avoid undesirable broadband emissions at higher wavelengths. This provides a significant improvement over the present complex and expensive commercial processes for the production of QDs. The aqueous QDs are stable in biological fluids over a long period of time. In addition, nontoxic ZnS QDs have been produced with good photoluminescence properties by refluxing the ZnS QD suspensions over a period of time.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for converting heavy hydrocarbon feed into lighter hydrocarbon products. The heavy hydrocarbon feed is slurried with a catalyst comprising iron oxide and alumina to form a heavy hydrocarbon slurry and hydrocracked to produce lighter hydrocarbons. The iron sulfide crystallites have diameters in the nanometer range.

Abstract: The process of the invention is provided to achieve uniform doping of an activator metal into phosphor particles and to improve efficiency of utlization of a metal element to be used in the production of a Group II metal sulfide phosphor and a precursor thereof. Specifically, the object of the invention is achieved by a process for producing a Group II metal sulfide phosphor precursor, comprising adding to an organic solvent an aqueous solution containing at least one of a Group II element compound, a sulfurizing agent, and a compound containing any of copper, silver, manganese, gold, and rare-earth elements to obtain a reaction mixture, heating the reaction mixture to produce an azeotrope of the water and the organic solvent, and removing the water from the reaction mixture to produce a desired Group II metal sulfide in the reaction mixture, wherein the removal of the water from the reaction mixture is carried out by recovering only the water condensed from a vapor produced by the azeotropic distillation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing surface stabilized nanometer-sized particles includes the steps of mixing reactants, a surface-stabilizing surfactant, and a high boiling point liquid to form a mixture, continuously passing the mixture through an ultrasonic spray nozzle to form a mist of droplets of the mixture, injecting the mist directly into a furnace to cause a reaction between species of the mixture, and collecting the nanometer-sized products. The ultrasonic nozzle is positioned directly at one end of the heating furnace, preferably the top end, for travel of the droplets through the furnace. The continuous liquid-flow process, along with certain operating parameters, eliminates the need for dilution of the high boiling point liquid with a low boiling point solvent as in the prior art, significantly increases the yield, improves the quality of the product, and makes the process scalable.

Abstract: Process of making high purity, synthetic FeS2, and an electrochemical battery employing such synthetic FeS2 in the positive electrode. Synthetic FeS2 may be prepared by a sulfidation process comprising reacting ferric oxide, hydrogen sulfide, and elemental sulfur at a temperature above the melting point of element sulfur. Synthetic FeS2 may also be produced by a milling process that comprises (i) milling iron powder and sulfur powder in the presence of a milling media and a processing agent to provide a homogenous powder mixture, and (ii) treating the powder mixture to form FeS2. In the milling process, the powder mixture may be treated to form FeS2 by heating the powder mixture or subjecting the powder mixture to a subsequent milling operation.

Abstract: A multi-element metal chalcogenide and a method for preparing the same are provided. According to the present invention, the multi-element metal chalcogenide includes multiple metal elements. According to the present invention, a multi-element metal chalcogenide powder is prepared, and all of the multiple metal elements of the multi-element metal chalcogenide are derived from simple substance powders of the metal elements, and/or one or more alloy powders mixed in accordance with a mole ratio. Then, a solution phase synthesis of the powder of the multi-element metal chalcogenide is conducted under the normal pressure to prepare the multi-element metal chalcogenide. The multi-element metal chalcogenide can be coated to obtain a film or used to make a target and then bombard the target for sputtering a film. In such a way, a selenization process which is conventional in fabricating the semiconductor solar cell is eliminated, thus improving the production yield and efficiency.

Abstract: An improved method of reducing a mixed metal oxide composition comprising oxides of nickel, cobalt, copper and iron in a hydrogen atmosphere to produce a mixture of the respective metals, the improvement wherein the atmosphere further comprises water vapour at a concentration, temperature and time to effect selective reduction of the oxides of nickel cobalt and copper relative to the iron oxide to produce the metallic mixture having a reduced ratio of metallic iron relative to metallic nickel, cobalt and copper.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for obtaining fullerene-like metal chalcogenide nanoparticles, comprising feeding a metal precursor selected from metal halide, metal carbonyl, organo-metallic compound and metal oxyhalide vapor into a reaction chamber towards a reaction zone to interact with a flow of at least one chalcogen material in gas phase, the temperature conditions in said reaction zone being such to enable the formation of the fullerene-like metal chalcogenide nanoparticles product. The present invention further provides novel IF metal chalcogenides nanoparticles with spherical shape and optionally having a very small or no hollow core exhibiting excellent tribological behaviour. The present invention further provides an apparatus for preparing various IF nanostructures.

Abstract: Methods of processing nanocrystals to remove excess free and bound organic material and particularly surfactants used during the synthesis process, and resulting nanocrystal compositions, devices and systems that are physically, electrically and chemically integratable into an end application.

Abstract: Mercury is removed from contaminated waste by firstly applying a sulfur reagent to the waste. Mercury in the waste is then permitted to migrate to the reagent and is stabilized in a mercury sulfide compound. The stable compound may then be removed from the waste which itself remains in situ following mercury removal therefrom.

Abstract: Methods for forming colloidal metal chalcogenide nanoparticles generally include forming soluble inorganic metal chalcogen cluster precursors, which are then mixed with a surfactant and heated to form the colloidal metal chalcogenide nanoparticles. The soluble inorganic metal chalcogen cluster precursors are generally formed using a hydrazine-based solvent. The methods can be used with main group and transition metals.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing layer-structure nanoparticles, which includes the steps of: producing a liquid mixture by adding a metal halide precursor and a sulfur precursor into an organic solvent containing amine; producing layer-structure metal sulfide nanoparticles by heating the liquid mixture at a predetermined temperature; and separating the metal sulfide nanoparticles from the liquid mixture.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing recovery of value sulfide or precious minerals from an ore containing Mg-silicate, slime forming minerals, and/or clay by crushing the ore, grinding the ore, and subjecting the ground ore to a flotation process, in conjunction with the addition of at least one monovalent ion modifier enhancing agent and/or froth phase modifier agent to the ore, are provided herein.

Abstract: A metal sulfide nanocrystal manufactured by a method of reacting a metal precursor and an alkyl thiol in a solvent, wherein the alkyl thiol reacts with the metal precursor to form the metal sulfide nanocrystals, wherein the alkyl thiol is present on the surface of the metal sulfide nanocrystal, wherein the alkyl thiol is bonded to the sulfur crystal lattice. A metal sulfide nanocrystal manufactured with a core-shell structure by a method of reacting a metal precursor and an alkyl thiol in a solvent to form a metal sulfide layer on the surface of a core, wherein the alkyl thiol is present on the surface of the metal sulfide nanocrystal, wherein the alkyl thiol is bonded to the sulfur crystal lattice. These metal sulfide nanocrystals can have a uniform particle size at the nanometer-scale level, selective and desired crystal structures, and various shapes.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are presented for obtaining inorganic fullerene-like nanostructures. A metal oxide is evaporated at predetermined temperature conditions, and is swept towards a reacting zone, to which first and second gas phase reacting agents are concurrently swept. The evaporated metal oxide thus interacts with the first reacting agent and is converted into metal suboxide nanoparticles in the gas phase. The condensing metal suboxide nanoparticles interact with the second reacting agent in the gas phase resulting in substantially pure phase of the inorganic fullerene-like nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for obtaining fullerene-like metal chalcogenide nanoparticles, comprising feeding a metal precursor (INi) selected from metal halide, metal carbonyl, organo-metallic compound and metal oxyhalide vapor into a reaction chamber (12) towards a reaction zone to interact with a flow of at least one chalcogen material (IN2) in gas phase, the temperature conditions in said reaction zone being such to enable the formation of the fullerene-like metal chalcogenide nanoparticles product. The present invention further provides novel IF metal chalcogenides nanoparticles with spherical shape and optionally having a very small or no hollow core and also exhibiting excellent tribological behavior. The present invention further provides an apparatus for preparing various IF nanostructures.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for synthesizing a nanoparticle using a carbene derivative. More specifically, provided is a method for synthesizing a nanoparticle by adding one or more precursors to an organic solvent to grow a crystal, wherein a specific carbene derivative is used as the precursor.

Abstract: A primary cell having an anode comprising lithium or lithium alloy and a cathode comprising iron disulfide (FeS2) or a mixture of iron disulfide (FeS2) and iron sulfide (FeS) and conductive carbon particles. A cathode slurry is prepared comprising the FeS2 or FeS2 plus FeS powder, conductive carbon, binder, and a solvent. The binder is preferably a styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) block copolymer. There is an advantage discovered in utilizing a hydronaphthalene solvent to form the cathode slurry. The preferred solvent is 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene or decahydronaphthalene and mixtures thereof. The slurry mixture is coated onto a conductive substrate and the solvent evaporated leaving a dry cathode coating on the substrate. Higher drying temperature may be used resulting in a dry cathode coating which resists cracking. The anode and cathode can be spirally wound with separator therebetween and inserted into the cell casing with electrolyte then added.

Abstract: A method for increasing the Seebeck coefficient of a semiconductor involves creating a reaction cell including a semiconductor in a pressure-transmitting medium, exposing the reaction cell to elevated pressure and elevated temperature for a time sufficient to increase the Seebeck coefficient of the semiconductor, and recovering the semiconductor with an increased Seebeck coefficient.

Abstract: An aqueous precipitation process for the preparation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, comprising reacting an aqueous soluble silver salt and an aqueous soluble source of inorganic sulfate ion in an agitated precipitation reactor vessel and precipitating particles comprising primarily silver sulfate, wherein the reaction and precipitation are performed in the presence of an aqueous soluble carboxylic acid additive or salt thereof, the amount of additive being a minor molar percentage, relative to the molar amount of silver sulfate precipitated, and effective to result in precipitation of particles comprising primarily silver sulfate having a mean grain-size of less than 70 micrometers.

Abstract: A system including a mechanism for recovering oil and/or gas from an underground formation, the oil and/or gas comprising one or more sulfur compounds; a mechanism for converting at least a portion of the sulfur compounds from the recovered oil and/or gas into a carbon disulfide formulation; and a mechanism for releasing at least a portion of the carbon disulfide formulation into a formation.

Abstract: An economic, direct synthetic method for producing water soluble QDs that are ready for bioconjugation is provided. The method can produce aqueous QDs with emission wavelengths varying from 400 nm to 700 nm. Highly luminescent metal sulfide (MS) QDs are produced via an aqueous synthesis route. MS QDs are capped with thiol-containing charged molecules in a single step. The resultant MS QDs exhibit the distinctive excitonic photoluminescence desired of QDs and can be fabricated to avoid undesirable broadband emissions at higher wavelengths. This provides a significant improvement over the present complex and expensive commercial processes for the production of QDs. The aqueous QDs are stable in biological fluids over a long period of time. In addition, nontoxic ZnS QDs have been produced with good photoluminescence properties by refluxing the ZnS QD suspensions over a period of time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a porous copper sulfide nano/micro hollow sphere and a method for preparing the same. The porous copper sulfide nano/micro hollow sphere of the present invention has plural through holes and a hollow structure so as to increase the reactive area thereof. In particular, the porous copper sulfide nano/micro hollow sphere can be applied in a solar cell to enhance a photoelectric effect.

Abstract: An inorganic nanocomposite is prepared by obtaining a solution of a soluble hydrazine-based metal chalcogenide precursor; dispersing a nanoentity in the precursor solution; applying a solution of the precursor containing the nanoentity onto a substrate to produce a film of the precursor containing the nanoentity; and annealing the film of the precursor containing the nanoentity to produce the metal chalcogenide nanocomposite film comprising at least one metal chalcogenide and at least one molecularly-intermixed nanoentity on the substrate. The process can be used to prepare field-effect transistors and photovoltaic devices.

Abstract: There is provided a process for preparing compounds of formula M3M1A2. The process comprises reacting a compound of formula M2M1A2 with a compound of formula M3X2, in the presence of at least one coordinating solvent. M1 can be chosen from B3+, Al3+, Ga3+, In3+, Tl3+, Fe3+, and Au3+; M2 can be chosen from Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+, (T1)3Si—, and N(T2)4+; M3 can be chosen from Cu+, Ag+, Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+, Rb+, Fr+, Au+, and Hg+; A can be chosen from S and Se; and X2 can be chosen from Cl?, Br?, I?, F?, CH3COO?, NO3?, and CN?. Such compounds can be used for various purposes in the field of electrochemistry.

Abstract: Process for the disposal of sulfur in the liquid state which comprises: a) transforming elemental sulfur into sulfanes having the general formula H2Sn+1, wherein n is a number from 1 to 7; b) optionally mixing elemental sulfur in powder form with the liquid sulfanes, up to such a concentration as to guarantee the pumpability of the mixture; c) injecting the sulfanes liquid at room temperature into geological formations having a temperature lower than 150° C.

Abstract: Sorbents for removal of mercury and other pollutants from gas streams, such as a flue gas stream from coal-fired utility plants, and methods for their manufacture and use are disclosed. The methods include mixing fly ash particles with a sulfide salt and a metal salt to form a metal sulfide on the outer surface of the fly ash particles.

Abstract: A method for preparing nanowires is disclosed, which comprises the following steps: (a) providing a first precursor solution containing IIB group elements, and a second precursor solution containing VIA group elements; (b) mixing and heating the first precursor solution and the second precursor solution to form a mixed solution; and (c) cooling the mixed solution and filtering the mixed solution to obtain nanowires. The first precursor solution includes compounds of IIB group elements and a surfactant. The second precursor solution includes compounds of VIA group elements. Besides, the surfactant is an organic acid having an aromatic group or a salt thereof.

Abstract: Methods for forming colloidal metal chalcogenide nanoparticles generally include forming soluble inorganic metal chalcogen cluster precursors, which are then mixed with a surfactant and heated to form the colloidal metal chalcogenide nanoparticles. The soluble inorganic metal chalcogen cluster precursors are generally formed using a hydrazine-based solvent. The methods can be used with main group and transition metals.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus for the production of inorganic fullerene-like (IF) nanoparticles and nanotubes. The apparatus comprises a chemical reactor, and is further associated with a feeding set up and with a temperature control means for controlling the temperature along the reaction path inside the reactor so as to maintain the temperature to be substantially constant. The invention is further directed to a method for the synthesis of IF-WO3 nanoparticles having spherical shape and having a size up to 0.5 mu m and nanotubes having a length of up to several hundred mu m and a cross-sectional dimension of up to 200 nanometer.

Abstract: There is provided a method of preparing tin sulfide nanoparticles, in which tin sulfide particles are prepared selectively, easily controlled in size and morphology and can be massively produced more easily through a simpler process. The method includes: mixing a tin sulfide precursor with at least one surfactant into a mixture; and heating the mixture.

Abstract: A metal chalcogenide composite nano-particle comprising a metal capable of forming p-type semiconducting chalcogenide nano-particles and a metal capable of forming n-type semiconducting chalcogenide nano-particles, wherein at least one of the metal chalcogenides has a band-gap between 1.0 and 2.9 eV and the concentration of the metal capable of forming p-type semiconducting chalcogenide nano-particles is at least 5 atomic percent of the metal and is less than 50 atomic percent of the metal; a dispersion thereof; a layer comprising the nano-particles; and a photovoltaic device comprising the layer.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods for making micron/nano meter sized particles of various inorganic materials such as minerals/oxides/sulphides/metals/ceramics at a steadily expanding liquid-liquid interface populated by suitable surfactant molecules that spontaneously organize themselves into superstructures varying over large length-scales. This experiment is realized in a radial Hele-Shaw cell where the liquid-liquid interfacial growth rate and consequently time scales such as arrival of surfactant molecules to the interface, the hydrodynamic flow effect to modulate the material organization into super structures at the dynamic charged interface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for manufacturing metal sulfide nanocrystals using a thiol compound as a sulfur precursor. The method comprises reacting the thiol compound and a metal precursor in a solvent to grow metal sulfide crystals to the nanometer-scale level. Further disclosed is a method for manufacturing metal sulfide nanocrystals with a core-shell structure by reacting a metal precursor and a thiol compound in a solvent to grow a metal sulfide layer on the surface of a core. The metal sulfide nanocrystals prepared by these methods can have a uniform particle size at the nanometer-scale level, selective and desired crystal structures, and various shapes.