ABSTRACT A newly arising challenge in the field of nanoparticle research concerns the control and the understanding of the interparticle interactions and interparticle properties. This should allow the development of materials based on nanoparticle assemblies which represents a great opportunity to exploit nanoparticle collective properties. Although some nanoparticle networks have been reporte...

We describe the synthesis and characterization of high-performance, superparamagnetic, iron oxide nanoparticle-based, heavy metal sorbents, which demonstrate excellent affinity for the separation of heavy metals in contaminated water systems (i.e., spiked Columbia River water). The magnetic nanoparticle sorbents were prepared from an easy-to-synthesize iron oxide precursor, followed by a simple...

We analyze the enhancement in optical absorption of an absorbing medium when spherical metal nanoparticles are embedded in it. Our analysis uses generalized Mie theory to calculate the absorbed optical power as a function of the distance from the metal nanoparticle. This analysis is used to evaluate the potential of enhancing optical absorption in thin-film solar cells by embedding spherical me...

By excluding metals from synthesis, growth of carbon nanostructures via unreduced oxide nanoparticle catalysts offers wide technological potential. We report new observations of the mechanisms underlying chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth of fibrous carbon nanostructures from zirconia nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation reveals distinct differences in morpholog...

In recent years, the catalytic use of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) has experienced a growing interest [...]

Supported metal nanoparticles form the basis of heterogeneous catalysts. Above a certain nanoparticle size, it is generally assumed that adsorbates bond in an identical fashion as on a semiinfinite crystal. This assumption has allowed the database on metal single crystals accumulated over the past 40 years to be used to model heterogeneous catalysts. Using a surface science approach to CO adsor...

Continuous-flow nanocatalysis based on metal nanoparticle catalyst-anchored flow reactors has recently provided an excellent platform for effective chemical manufacturing. However, there has been limited progress in porous structure design and recycling systems for metal nanoparticle-anchored flow reactors to create more efficient and sustainable catalytic processes. In this study, traditional ...

Metal nanoparticle-decorated carbon spheres (mn-CSs) are prepared by combining one-pot hydrothermal synthesis and post-synthesis modification. The former sol-gel type process is employed to obtain heteroatom-containing polymer spheres (PSs), which easily attract metal species that, during thermal treatment, are initially converted to nanoparticle-decorated PSs and finally to mn-CSs.