Abstract: A solar cell includes a low work function cathode, an active layer of an organic-inorganic nanoparticle composite, a ZnO nanoparticle layer situated between and physically contacting the cathode and active layers; and a transparent high work function anode that is a bilayer electrode. The inclusion of the ZnO nanoparticle layer results in a solar cell displaying a conversion efficiency increase and reduces the device degradation rate. Embodiments of the invention are directed to novel ZnO nanoparticles that are advantageous for use as the ZnO nanoparticle layers of the novel solar cells and a method to prepare the ZnO nanoparticles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the synthesis of nanostructures using at least one solution providing at least one chemical element appropriate for the type of nanostructure, the method comprising the steps of: a) adding (admixing) a reducing agent to the at least one solution, b) bringing a suitable substrate into contact with the at least one solution before or after step a), c) forming nucleation growth sites on the substrate and d) maintaining the temperature at a suitable level for the growth of the nanostructures, characterized by the further steps of e) providing at least one space having at least one dimension in the micron range, e.g. in the range from 1 ?m to 500 ?m, adjacent a surface of the substrate, f) growing said nanostructures in said at least one space, g) periodically separating said nanostructures from the substrate and removing them.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for producing ZnO nanostructures, the methods comprising heating an aqueous solution comprising a zinc compound, a base, and a polymer which is polyvinylpyrrolidinone or poly(ethylene glycol).

Abstract: This invention relates, in general, to a method of producing magnetic oxide nanoparticles or metal oxide nanoparticles and, more particularly, to a method of producing magnetic or metal oxide nanoparticles, which comprises (1) adding a magnetic or metal precursor to a surfactant or a solvent containing the surfactant to produce a mixed solution, (2) heating the mixed solution to 50-6001 C to decompose the magnetic or metal precursor by heating so as to form the magnetic or metal oxide nanoparticles, and (3) separating the magnetic or metal oxide nanoparticles. Since the method is achieved through a simple process without using an oxidizing agent or a reducing agent, it is possible to simply mass-produce uniform magnetic or metal oxide nanoparticles having desired sizes compared to the conventional method.

Abstract: An optical element is disclosed which includes transparent superconductor material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of precipitation of metal ions. Mineral(s), oxide(s), hydroxide(s) of magnesium and/or calcium are adopted as raw materials, and the raw material(s) is processed through at least one step of calcination, slaking, or carbonization to produce aqueous solution(s) of magnesium bicarbonate and/or calcium bicarbonate, and then the solution(s) is used as precipitant(s) to deposit rare earth, such as nickel, cobalt, iron, aluminum, gallium, indium, manganese, cadmium, zirconium, hafnium, strontium, barium, copper and zinc ions. And at least one of metal carbonates, hydroxides or basic carbonates is obtained, or furthermore the obtained products are calcined to produce metal oxides. The invention takes the cheap calcium and/or magnesium minerals or their oxides, hydroxides with low purity as raw materials to instead common precipitants such as ammonium bicarbonate and sodium carbonate etc.

Abstract: The zinc oxide nanorod thin film in accordance with the present invention is highly condensed and has ideal photoelectric properties. The method for making the zinc oxide nanorod thin film has two steps: forming a zinc oxide seed layer comprising multiple crystals each having a grain size of 1-100 nm on a basal plate and preparing a zinc oxide nanorod thin film growing solution in which the zinc oxide seed layer is allowed to grow a zinc oxide crystal columnar layer at a growing temperature ranging from 50 to 100° C. for a growing time ranging from 0.5 to 10 hours to form a zinc oxide nanorod thin film, wherein the zinc oxide nanorod thin film growing solution is a 0.001-0.1 M aqueous zinc ion solution comprising hexamethylenetetramine.

Abstract: Process for preparing a mixed metal oxide powder, in which oxidizable starting materials are evaporated and oxidized, the reaction mixture is cooled after the reaction and the pulverulent solids are removed from gaseous substances, wherein as starting materials, at least one pulverulent metal and at least one metal compound, the metal and the metal component of the metal compound being different and the proportion of metal being at least 80% by weight based on the sum of metal and metal component from metal compound, together with one or more combustion gases, are fed to an evaporation zone of a reactor, where metal and metal compound are evaporated completely under nonoxidizing conditions, subsequently, the mixture flowing out of the evaporation zone is reacted in the oxidation zone of this reactor with a stream of a supplied oxygen-containing gas whose oxygen content is at least sufficient to oxidize the starting materials and combustion gases completely.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a metal oxide nano powder comprising preparing a first dispersed solution by adding a nano-sized metal powder to water and dispersing the metal powder within the water, performing a hydration reaction of the first dispersed solution at a temperature of about 30 to about 70° C. to generate a precipitation, and filtering and drying the precipitation to prepare a metal oxide powder. Also, disclosed is a metal oxide nano powder manufactured by the method described above, and having any one of a bar-form, a cube-form, and a fiber-form.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing nanostructures. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of heating a reaction mixture at an elevated temperature, T, for a period of time effective to allow the growth of desired nanostructures. The reaction mixture contains an amount, P, of a carboxylate salt and an amount, L, of a fatty acid ligand, defining a molar ratio of the fatty acid ligand to the carboxylate salt, ?=L/P, and a hydrocarbon solvent. The reaction mixture is characterizable with a critical ligand protection, ?, associating with the chemical structure of the carboxylate salt such that when ?<?, the reaction mixture is in a limited ligand protection (LLP) domain, and when ?>?, the reaction mixture is in a sufficient ligand protection (SLP) domain.

Abstract: A method for making the metal oxide includes the following steps: mixing a metal nitrate with a solvent of octadecyl amine, and achieving a mixture; agitating and reacting the mixture at a reaction temperature for a reaction period; cooling the mixture to a cooling temperature, and achieving a deposit; and washing the deposit with an organic solvent, drying the deposit at a drying temperature and achieving a metal oxide nanocrystal. The present method for making a metal oxide nanocrystal is economical and timesaving, and has a low toxicity associated therewith. Thus, the method is suitable for industrial mass production. The metal oxide nanocrystal material made by the present method has a readily controllable size, a narrow size distribution, and good crystallinity.

Abstract: Disclosed is use of zinc oxide nanoparticles as an exciton emission source in vivo or in vitro. Also disclosed is a fluorescent labeling agent comprising a zinc oxide nanoparticle and a substance capable of selectively binding to a target in vivo or in vitro, wherein the substance is bound to the zinc oxide nanoparticle via at least one binder. Further disclosed is a fluorescent labeling agent comprising a zinc oxide nanoparticle of which the surface is coated with a coating film selected from ZnS, MgxZn1-xO (where 0<x?1) and SiO2, and a substance capable of selectively binding to a target in vivo or in vitro, wherein the substance is bound to the zinc oxide nanoparticle via at least one binder.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, hydrothermal synthesis of zinc oxide nanowires is morphologically controlled. Metal complex ions are used to suppress growth in a face-selective manner, by electrostatic crystal growth inhibition. This permits the aspect ratio (height/diameter) of the nanowires to be dynamically tuned over a wide range, from needle-like nanowires that are efficient field emitters to flattened nanowires with a platelet-like shape. The nanowire synthesis is all inorganic and occurs at low temperatures (e.g., <=60° C.). The growth inhibition may be predictively modeled, using speciation plots and treating non-zinc complex ions as ligands. Microfluidic channels may be used for the synthesis, with different solutions flowing down different channels, permitting nanowires with different properties to be synthesized in parallel.

Abstract: Embodiments described include a non-polymeric voltage switchable dielectric (VSD) material comprising substantially of a grain structure formed from only a single compound, processes for making same, and applications for using such non-polymeric VSD materials.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for coating a positive active material of a lithium-ion battery. The method includes the step of dissolving at least one salt that contains a coating metal in a solvent to provide a solution, the step of dissolving a lithium-containing positive active material in the solution and adjusting the pH value of the solution to deposit M(OH)2n on the lithium-containing positive active material, the step of drying the M(OH)2n and the lithium-containing positive active material, and the step of sintering the M(OH)2n and the lithium-containing positive active material to coat the lithium-containing positive active material with MOn.

Abstract: Method for producing hydrometallurgical zinc oxide powder having characteristics equivalent to that derived from a French process, comprising formation of an aqueous pulp from a starting zinc oxide having particles of nodular structure, wet milling of this aqueous pulp, separation in this milled pulp between a liquid phase and a solid phase containing the zinc oxide, and drying of said solid phase, coupled with a mechanical deagglomeration of the particles during drying, to obtain a dry zinc oxide powder with particles of nodular structure having a particle size distribution where the particles have an average size (d50) between 0.02 and 20 ?m.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a Light Emitting Diode (LED) with increased light extraction efficiency, comprising providing a III-Nitride based LED structure comprising a light emitting active layer between a p-type layer and an n-type layer; growing a Zinc Oxide (ZnO) layer epitaxially on the p-type layer by submerging a surface of the p-type layer in a low temperature aqueous solution, wherein the ZnO layer is a transparent current spreading layer; and depositing a p-type contact on the ZnO layer. The increase in efficiency may be more than 93% with very little or no increase in cost.

Abstract: The subject invention concerns nanorods, compositions and substrates comprising nanorods, and methods of making and using nanorods and nanorod compositions and substrates. In one embodiment, the nanorod is composed of Zinc oxide (ZnO). In a further embodiment, a nanorod of the invention further comprises SiO2 or TiO2. In a specific embodiment, a nanorod of the invention is composed of ZnO coated with SiO2. Nanorods of the present invention are useful as an adhesion-resistant biomaterial capable of reducing viability in anchorage-dependent cells.

Abstract: The object of the present disclosure is to obtain zinc oxide particle having large particle diameter and being high-density and to obtain an exoergic resin composition, an exoergic grease and an exoergic coating composition that show an excellent exoergic property by using it. A zinc oxide particle being high-density, which has density of 4.0 g/cm3 or more and median size (D50) of 17 to 10000 ?m.

Abstract: The object of the present disclosure is to obtain zinc oxide particle having large particle diameter and being high-density and to obtain an exoergic resin composition, an exoergic grease and an exoergic coating composition that show an excellent exoergic property by using it. A zinc oxide particle being high-density, which has density of 4.0 g/cm3 or more and median size (D50) of 17 to 10000 ?m.

Abstract: The invention relates to amphiphilic, nanoscalar particles comprising lipophilic hydrolyzable groups on their surface. The invention also relates to methods for producing amphiphilic, nanoscalar particles and to compositions containing said particles.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to metal oxide materials with varied nanostructural morphologies. More specifically, the disclosure relates to zinc oxide and cobalt oxide nanostructures with varied morphologies. The disclosure further relates to methods of making such metal oxide nanostructures.

Abstract: Provided are a method for preparing zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and a method for preparing ZnO nanofluid using the same. The method for preparing ZnO nanoparticles includes: a) heating deionized water; b) dissolving zinc (Zn) salt in the deionized water to prepare a precursor solution; c) adding solid alkali salt to the precursor solution to prepare a dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles; and d) separating the ZnO nanoparticles by solid-liquid separation and washing them with deionized water. Highly pure, crystalline ZnO nanoparticles with spherical shape and very narrow particle size distribution of 10 to 50 nm can be prepared quickly and at large scale and low cost using inexpensive materials via a stable low-temperature process, without using a dispersant. The associated low-temperature, normal-pressure process produces few harmful materials and may be easily employed for production of ZnO nanoparticles.

Abstract: Nanoplatelet forms of metal hydroxide and metal oxide are provided, as well as methods for preparing same. The nanoplatelets are suitable for use as fire retardants and as agents for chemical or biological decontamination.

Abstract: Methods of forming a nanocrystal are provided. The nanocrystal may be a binary nanocrystal of general formula M1A or of general formula M1O, a ternary nanocrystal of general formula M1M2A, of general formula M1AB or of general formula M1M2O or a quaternary nanocrystal of general formula M1M2AB. M1 is a metal of Groups II-IV, Group VII or Group VIII of the PSE. A is an element of Group VI or Group V of the PSE. O is oxygen. A homogenous reaction mixture in a non-polar solvent of low boiling point is formed, that includes a metal precursor containing the metal M1 and, where applicable M2. For an oxygen containing nanocrystal the metal precursor contains an oxygen donor. Where applicable, A is also included in the homogenous reaction mixture. The homogenous reaction mixture is under elevated pressure brought to an elevated temperature that is suitable for forming a nanocrystal.

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 process of producing a ceramic powder including providing a plurality of precursor materials in solution, wherein each of the plurality of precursor materials in solution further comprises at least one constituent ionic species of a ceramic powder, combining the plurality of precursor materials in solution with an onium dicarboxylate precipitant solution to cause co-precipitation of the ceramic powder precursor in a combined solution; and separating the ceramic powder precursor from the combined solution. The process may further include calcining the ceramic powder precursor.

Abstract: A porous metal oxide is formed by creating a metal oxide material with a hydrolysis reaction in solution. The hydrolysis reaction or reaction products of a metal oxide precursor react simultaneously or in conjunction with a metal salt or a disassociation species of a metal salt. The metal oxide material is conditioned, and is refined to produce metal oxide particles having a porous structure containing crystallites.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of nano zinc oxide particles comprising dissolving a zinc metal precursor in a solvent to obtain a first solution; dissolving a base in an alcohol to obtain an alkali solution; and adding the alkali solution to the first solution over a predetermined period of time to obtain nano zinc oxide particles in solution.

Abstract: Provided is a method for forming zinc oxide which includes introducing a zinc vapor and a water vapor to a reactor; providing a zinc particulate to the reactor to promote the reaction between the zinc vapor and water vapor, thereby forming zinc oxide and hydrogen. An apparatus for forming zinc oxide is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a continuous calcination vessel which can be used to prepare calcined chemically-treated solid oxides from solid oxides and chemically-treated solid oxides. A process for the continuous preparation of calcined chemically-treated solid oxides is also provided. Calcined chemically-treated solid oxides disclosed herein can be used in catalyst compositions for the polymerization of olefins.

Abstract: A zinc oxide powder is described, which, when used in a dispersion at a concentration of at least 50 wt % of zinc oxide, produces a transparent composition having a total visible transmittance through a path length of 20 microns at 550 nm of at least one of; at least 70%, at least 75%, at least 80% or at least 85%. The powder has a number average zinc oxide aggregate size of at least 0.8 microns, at least 1 micron, at least 2 microns or at least 3 microns. Use of the zinc oxide powder reduces the risk of transdermal penetration.

Abstract: A method for generating oxidic nanoparticles from a material forming oxide particles, comprising the steps of: preparation of an aqueous solution containing ions of the material forming the oxide particles, film evaporation of the solution at a temperature above 200° C., and skimming off the nanoparticles floating on the surface of the aqueous solution generated in the vicinity of the vapour film on film evaporation. A device for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: ZnO structures comprising crystalline ZnO micro or nanorods and methods for making and using these ZnO structures are provided. The side surface of the central portion of each rod may comprise planes of the form {1 0 ?1 0}, {0 1 ?1 0}, {?1 1 0 0}, {?1 0 1 0}, {0 ?1 1 0} or {1 ?1 0 0}, with central edge regions including a crystallographic plane of the form {2 ?1 ?1 0} or {?2 1 1 0}. The tip of the rod may comprise planes of the form {1 0 ?1 1} {0 1 ?1 1}, {?1 1 0 1}, {?1 0 1 1}, {0 ?1 1 1} or {1 ?1 0 1} with tip edge regions including a crystallographic plane of the form {2 ?1 ?1 2} or {?2 1 1 2}. The rods may be joined at or near their bases to form a “flower-like” morphology. In an embodiment, a synthesis mixture is prepared by dissolving a zinc salt in an alcohol solvent, followed by addition of at least two additives. The zinc salt may be zinc nitrate hexahydrate, the first additive may be benzyl alcohol and the second additive may be urea.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method of producing a crystalline metal oxide nanostructure. The method comprises providing a metal salt solution and providing a basic solution; placing a porous membrane between the metal salt solution and the basic solution, wherein metal cations of the metal salt solution and hydroxide ions of the basic solution react, thereby producing a crystalline metal oxide nanostructure.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a solid dopant for doping a conductive polymer, which has a high dispersibility in a solvent by a plasma treatment, a method and an apparatus for preparing the solid dopants, a solid doping method of a conductive polymer using the solid dopants, and a solid doping method of a conductive polymer using plasma.

Abstract: A material comprising a plurality of nanoparticles. Each of the plurality of nanoparticles includes at least one of a metal phosphate, a metal silicate, a metal oxide, a metal borate, a metal aluminate, and combinations thereof. The plurality of nanoparticles is substantially monodisperse. Also disclosed is a method of making a plurality of substantially monodisperse nanoparticles. The method includes providing a slurry of at least one metal precursor, maintaining the pH of the slurry at a predetermined value, mechanically milling the slurry, drying the slurry to form a powder; and calcining the powder at a predetermined temperature to form the plurality of nanoparticles.

Abstract: A process comprises (a) combining (1) at least one base and (2) at least one metal carboxylate salt comprising (i) a metal cation selected from metal cations that form amphoteric metal oxides or oxyhydroxides and (ii) a lactate or thiolactate anion, or metal carboxylate salt precursors comprising (i) at least one metal salt comprising the metal cation and a non-interfering anion and (ii) lactic or thiolactic acid, a lactate or thiolactate salt of a non-interfering, non-metal cation, or a mixture thereof; and (b) allowing the base and the metal carboxylate salt or metal carboxylate salt precursors to react.

Abstract: A cosmetic composition contains star-shaped zinc oxide particles each having a star shape, and containing zinc oxide as a main substance thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for making nanoparticles of metals, metal alloys, metal oxides and multi-metallic oxides, which comprises the steps of reacting a metal salt dissolved in water with an alkali metal salt of C4-25 carboxylic acid dissolved in a first solvent selected from the group consisting of C5-10 aliphatic hydrocarbon and C6-10 aromatic hydrocarbon to form a metal carboxylate complex; and heating the metal carboxylate complex dissolved in a second solvent selected from the group consisting of C6-25 aromatic, C6-25 ether, C6-25 aliphatic hydrocarbon and C6-25 amine to produce the nanoparticles.

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: A material comprising a plurality of nanoparticles. Each of the plurality of nanoparticles includes at least one of a metal phosphate, a metal silicate, a metal oxide, a metal borate, a metal aluminate, and combinations thereof. The plurality of nanoparticles is substantially monodisperse. Also disclosed is a method of making a plurality of substantially monodisperse nanoparticles. The method includes providing a slurry of at least one metal precursor, maintaining the pH of the slurry at a predetermined value, mechanically milling the slurry, drying the slurry to form a powder; and calcining the powder at a predetermined temperature to form the plurality of nanoparticles.

Abstract: Particles and manufacturing methods thereof are provided. The manufacturing method of the particle includes providing a precursor solution containing a precursor dissolved in a solution, and irradiating the precursor solution with a high energy and high flux radiation beam to convert the precursor to nano-particles. Particles with desired dispersion, shape, and size are manufactured without adding a stabilizer or surfactant to the precursor solution.

Abstract: A technique for bonding an organic group with the surface of fine particles such as nanoparticles through strong linkage is provided, whereas such fine particles are attracting attention as materials essential for development of high-tech products because of various unique excellent characteristics and functions thereof. Organically modified metal oxide fine particles can be obtained by adapting high-temperature, high-pressure water as a reaction field to bond an organic matter with the surface of metal oxide fine particles through strong linkage. The use of the same condition enables not only the formation of metal oxide fine particles but also the organic modification of the formed fine particles. The resulting organically modified metal oxide fine particles exhibit excellent properties, characteristics and functions.

Abstract: A method for producing star-shaped zinc oxide particles, the method including heating a solution containing tetrahydroxozincate(II) ion [Zn(OH)4]2?, and diluting the solution containing tetrahydroxozincate(II) ion [Zn(OH)4]2? with a solvent in the course of reaction so that the concentration of zinc ion (Zn2+) after the dilution is adjusted to 0.008 M or lower.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for treating residues comprising zinc ferrites and non-ferrous metals selected from among the group made up of lead (Pb), silver (Ag), indium (In), germanium (Ge) and gallium (Ga) or mixtures thereof in the form of oxides and sulfates, comprising the following steps: roasting of the residues in an oxidising medium at elevated temperature in order to obtain a desulfurised residue, carburising reduction/smelting of the desulfurised residue in a reducing medium, liquid phase extraction of carburised melt and slag, vapour phase extraction of the non-ferrous metals, followed by oxidation and recovery thereof in solid form.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of nanoscale zinc oxide, prepared by a sol-gel process, as curing catalyst, in particular for liquid coatings.

Abstract: A dispersed ingredient having metal-oxygen bonds which is obtained by hydrolyzing a metal alkoxide in an organic solvent in the absence of an acid, a base, and/or a dispersion stabilizer, either with 0.5 to less than 1 mol of water per mol of the metal alkoxide or at ?20° C. or lower with 1.0 to less than 2.0 mol of water per mol of the metal alkoxide. In the organic solvent, the dispersed ingredient is stably dispersed without aggregating. Use of the dispersed ingredient enables a thin metal oxide film and a homogeneous organic/inorganic composite to be produced at a temperature as low as 200° C. or below.

Abstract: An article of manufacture and methods of making same. In one embodiment, the article of manufacture has a plurality of zinc oxide layers substantially in parallel, wherein each zinc oxide layer has a thickness d1, and a plurality of organic molecule layers substantially in parallel, wherein each organic molecule layer has a thickness d2 and a plurality of molecules with a functional group that is bindable to zinc ions, wherein for every pair of neighboring zinc oxide layers, one of the plurality of organic molecule layers is positioned in between the pair of neighboring zinc oxide layers to allow the functional groups of the plurality of organic molecules to bind to zinc ions in the neighboring zinc oxide layers to form a lamellar hybrid structure with a geometric periodicity d1+d2, and wherein d1 and d2 satisfy the relationship of d1?d2?3d1.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an MRI contrast agent that includes zinc-containing water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles and has an improved contrast effect. The zinc-containing water-soluble metal oxide nanoparticles are characterized by addition of zinc to a matrix comprising the metal oxide nanoparticles or by substitution of metal in the matrix, resulting in the improved contrast effect of MRI. In addition, the zinc-containing metal oxide nanoparticles of the present invention include the MRI contrast agent t having hybrid structures of “zinc-containing metal oxide nanoparticle—biologically/chemically active material” in which the nanoparticle is conjugated with a bioactive material such as proteins, antibodies, and chemical materials.