Oxynitride compounds, methods of preparation, and uses thereof

A nanostructure, comprising a M1x1M2x2OyNz nanoparticle, and wherein x1 is in the range of about 1 to 3, x2 is in the range of about 1 to 3, y is in the range of about 0.5 to less than 5, and z is in the range of about 0.001 to 0.5.

The method of claim 38, further comprising:

• providing a catalytic metal compound;
• and
• mixing the catalytic metal compound with the at least one type of MhOi nanoparticle and the solution of alkyl amine until the reaction between the at least one type of MhOi nanoparticle, alkyl amine, and catalytic metal compound is substantially complete.

A method of forming a M1x1M2x2OyNz nanoparticle, wherein x1 is in the range of about 1 to 3, x2 is in the range of about 1 to 3, y is in the range of about 0.5 to less than 5, and z is in the range of about 0.001 to 0.5, comprising:

• providing at least two types of MhOi nanoparticles, wherein h is in the range of about 1 to 3 and i is in the range of about 1 to 5;
• providing a solution of an alkyl amine;
• mixing the at least two types of MhOi nanoparticles and the solution of alkyl amine until a reaction between the at least two types of MhOi nanoparticles and alkyl amine is substantially complete.

The method of claim 48, further comprising:

• providing a catalytic metal compound;
• and
• mixing the catalytic metal compound with the at least two types of MhOi nanoparticles and the solution of alkyl amine until the reaction between the at least two types of MhOi nanoparticles, the alkyl amine, and the catalytic metal compound is substantially complete.

A method of forming a M1x1M2x2OyNz nanoparticle, wherein x1 is in the range of about 1 to 3, x2 is in the range of about 1 to 3, y is in the range of about 0.5 to less than 5, and z is in the range of about 0.001 to 0.5, comprising:

• providing at least one type of M1h1M2h2Oi nanoparticle, wherein h1 is in the range of about 1 to 3, h2 is in the range of about 1 to 3, and i is in the range of about 1 to 5;
• providing a solution of an alkyl amine;
• mixing the at least one type of M1h1M2h2Oi nanoparticle and the solution of alkyl amine until the reaction between the at least one type of M1h1M2h2Oi nanoparticle and alkyl amine is substantially complete.

The method of claim 56, further comprising:

• providing a catalytic metal compound;
• and
• mixing the catalytic metal compound with the at least one type of M1h1M2h2Oi nanoparticle and the solution of alkyl amine until the reaction between the at least one type of M1h1M2h2Oi nanoparticle, the alkyl amine, and the catalytic metal compound is substantially complete.

A photocatalyst, comprising:

• a MxOyNz nanoparticle, wherein x is in the range of about 1 to 3, y is in the range of about 0.5 to less than 5, and z is in the range of about 0.001 to 0.5.

A photocatalytic reactor, comprising:

• a MxOyNz nanoparticle, wherein x is in the range of about 1 to 3, y is in the range of about 0.5 to less than 5, and z is in the range of about 0.001 to 0.5, wherein the optical absorbance ranges from about 500 nanometers to about 800 nanometers.

A solar panel energy system, comprising:

• a MxOyNz nanoparticle, wherein x is in the range of about 1 to 3, y is in the range of about 0.5 to less than 5, and z is in the range of about 0.001 to 0.5, wherein the optical absorbance ranges from about 500 nanometers to 800 nanometers.