A substrate-free gas-phase synthesis apparatus and method that is capable of rapidly and continuously producing graphene in ambient conditions without the use of graphite or substrates is provided. Graphene sheets are continuously synthesized in fractions of a second by sending an aerosol consisting of argon gas and liquid ethanol droplets into an atmospheric-pressure microwave-generated argon plasma field. The ethanol droplets are evaporated and dissociated in the plasma, forming graphene sheets that are collected. The apparatus can be scaled for the large-scale production of clean and highly ordered graphene and its many applications. The graphene that is produced is clean and highly ordered with few lattice imperfections and oxygen functionalities and therefore has improved characteristics over graphene produced by current methods in the art. The graphene that is produced by the apparatus and methods was shown to be particularly useful as a support substrate that enabled direct atomic resolution imaging of organic molecules and interfaces with nanoparticles at a level previously unachievable.

Substrate-free gas-phase synthesis of graphene sheets

A method for growing films for use in integrated circuits using atomic layer deposition and a subsequent converting step is described. In an embodiment, the subsequent converting step includes oxidizing a metal atomic layer to form a metal oxide layer. The atomic layer deposition and oxidation step are then repeated to produce a metal oxide layer having sufficient thickness for use as a metal oxide layer in an integrated circuit. The subsequent converting step, in an embodiment, includes converting the atomic deposition layer by exposing it to one of nitrogen to form a nitride layer, carbon to form a carbide layer, boron to form a boride layer, and fluorine to form a fluoride layer. Systems and devices for performing the method, semiconductor devices so produced, and machine readable media containing the method are also described.

Atomic layer deposition and conversion

Nano-particles are molded in nano-scale molds fabricated from non- wetting, low surface energy polymeric materials. The nano-particles can include pharmaceutical compositions, taggants, contrast agents, biologic drugs, drug compositions, organic materials, and the like. The molds can be virtually any shape and less than 10 micron in cross-sectional diameter.

Nanoparticle fabrication methods, systems, and materials

Tungsten nanoparticles were prepared by thermal decomposition of tungsten hexacarbonyl [W(CO) 6 ] (2 mmol) at 160 °C in presence of a mixture of (1:1) surfactants, oleic acid (6 mmol) and trioctyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) (6 mmol) under a blanket of Ar gas. The synthesized tungsten nanoparticles without surfactant are flocculated. With increase in concentration of surfactant mixture to 12 mmol each, agglomeration of several tungsten nanoparticles are observed. Characterization of surfactant coated tungsten nanoparticles were carried out using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Chemical characterizations of synthesized tungsten nanoparticles were done using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and LECO gas analyzers. XPS study shows the W 0 oxidation state of tungsten nanopowders. Structural characterization of synthesized tungsten nanoparticles were conducted by X-ray diffraction (XRD), which shows that the as-synthesized tungsten nanoparticles are amorphous in nature and they become body centered cubic crystalline after annealing. Particle size, shape and distribution were characterized using small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Synthesis of tungsten nanoparticles by solvothermal decomposition of tungsten hexacarbonyl

Battery systems using coated conversion materials as the active material in battery cathodes are provided herein. Protective coatings may be an oxide, phosphate, or fluoride, and may be lithiated. The coating may selectively isolate the conversion material from the electrolyte. Methods for fabricating batteries and battery systems with coated conversion material are also provided herein.

Protective coatings for conversion material cathodes

Method for producing metallic nanoparticles. The method includes generating an aerosol of solid metallic microparticles, generating non-oxidizing plasma with a plasma hot zone at a temperature sufficiently high to vaporize the microparticles into metal vapor, and directing the aerosol into the hot zone of the plasma. The microparticles vaporize in the hot zone to metal vapor. The metal vapor is directed away from the hot zone and to the plasma afterglow where it cools and condenses to form solid metallic nanoparticles.

Method for producing metallic nanoparticles

Method for producing metallic particles. The method converts metallic nanoparticles into larger, spherical metallic particles. An aerosol of solid metallic nanoparticles and a non-oxidizing plasma having a portion sufficiently hot to melt the nanoparticles are generated. The aerosol is directed into the plasma where the metallic nanoparticles melt, collide, join, and spheroidize. The molten spherical metallic particles are directed away from the plasma and enter the afterglow where they cool and solidify.

William J. Kroenke

Papers

Method for producing metallic nanoparticles

Method for producing metallic microparticles