Prior Treatment Before Carbonization (except With Gaseous Oxygen) Patents (Class 423/447.4)
  • Patent number: 11949087
    Abstract: A method for preparing a graphene-coated powder material, comprising: A) dispersing a graphene powder and/or graphene oxide powder, a powder material to be coated with graphene, and a polymeric co-coating agent in a first organic solvent to form a first organic solvent dispersion; B) mixing the first organic solvent dispersion with a second organic solvent and separating a precipitate after sedimentation; and C) annealing the precipitate in an inert atmosphere to obtain the graphene-coated powder material; wherein the polymeric co-coating agent is soluble in the first organic solvent but insoluble in the second organic solvent. The present invention also relates to a graphene-coated powder material prepared by the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignees: BEIJING TUNGHSU CARBON ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD., TUNGHSU GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Qing Li, Yunxiao Tong, Heran Li, Zhonghui Wang
  • Patent number: 11827757
    Abstract: A carbon fiber composite material comprising: (i) a carbon fiber having an outer surface, a thickness of at least 1 micron, and an aspect ratio of at least 1000; (ii) a sizing agent coated on the outer surface of the carbon fiber, wherein the sizing agent has a thickness of up to 200 nm; and (iii) nanoparticles having a size in at least one dimension of up to 100 nm embedded within the sizing agent, wherein the nanoparticles have a metal carbide, metal oxide, metal nitride, and/or metal boride composition. A method for producing the fiber composite material comprises: (a) continuously feeding and coating a continuous carbon fiber with a liquid containing a solvent, sizing agent, and nanoparticles in a continuous feed-through process to result in said sizing agent and nanoparticles coating the surface of the continuous carbon fiber; and (b) removing the solvent from the coated fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Christopher C. Bowland, Amit K. Naskar
  • Patent number: 11560105
    Abstract: Disclosed are an undercover for vehicles with high elasticity and rigidity and a method of manufacturing the same. The undercover for vehicles with high elasticity and rigidity may include a needle-punched nonwoven fabric having a multi-layer structure of felt layers including a first PET fiber and a low-melting-point PET fiber, and each of the felt layers may have improved tensile strength and have optimized fiber alignment, to thereby improve the binding between fibers, mechanical rigidity and elasticity, as well as to reduce the weight of components, improve durability and secure harmlessness and inline workability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hado FNC Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong Je Kim, Keun Young Kim, Tae Yoon Kim, Jung Wook Lee, Young Su Kim, Jong Eun Ha
  • Patent number: 11362315
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for high volume roll-to-roll transfer lamination of electrodes for silicon-dominant anode cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: ENEVATE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fred Bonhomme, Benjamin Park, Kirk Shockley, Giulia Canton, David J. Lee
  • Patent number: 11220569
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aerogel made from a polyhydroxy benzene compound crosslinked with formaldehyde. The aerogel is dry and has a first volume and wherein the aerogel can be exposed to a liquid and be re-dried in a gas while retaining at least 70% of the first volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: SOUTHERN RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: William Madison Parks, Rebecca J. Boohaker, Ashish Pathak, Saibal Chakraborty
  • Patent number: 10738168
    Abstract: Provided is a fiber-reinforced composite material shaped product having isotropy and mechanical strength and a random mat used as an intermediate material thereof. The random mat includes reinforcing fibers having an average fiber length of 3 to 100 mm and a thermoplastic resin, in which the reinforcing fibers satisfy the following i) to iii). i) A weight-average fiber width (Ww) of the reinforcing fibers satisfies the following Equation (1). 0.03 mm<Ww<5.0 mm??(1) ii) An average fiber width dispersion ratio (Ww/Wn) defined as a ratio of the weight-average fiber width (Ww) to a number-average fiber width (Wn) of the reinforcing fibers is 1.8 or more and 20.0 or less. iii) A weight-average fiber thickness of the reinforcing fibers is smaller than the weight-average fiber width (Ww).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Teijin Limited
    Inventors: Naoaki Sonoda, Makoto Ootsubo, Takeru Ohki
  • Patent number: 10689256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a conductive carbon powder emanating essentially from lignin, a method for the manufacturing thereof and use thereof. Said powder may emanate from an electrically conductive carbon intermediate product, in turn emanating essentially from lignin. Further, uses thereof and compositions comprising said carbon powder are disclosed. Additionally methods for manufacturing said conductive carbon powder, also involving an electrically conductive carbon intermediate product emanating essentially from lignin, are disclosed together with a method for making said compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Stora Enso OYJ
    Inventors: Niklas Garoff, Stephan Walter, Gunnar Seide, Thomas Gries, Wilhelm Steinmann, Andreas De Palmenaer
  • Patent number: 10550512
    Abstract: An oil for a carbon fiber precursor acrylic fiber including: a hydroxybenzoate ester (A) indicated by formula (1a); an amino-modified silicone (H) indicated by formula (3e); and an organic compound (X) which is compatible with the hydroxybenzoate ester (A), in which a residual mass rate R1 at 300° C. in thermal mass analysis in an air atmosphere is 70-100 mass % inclusive, and which is a liquid at 100° C., and a carbon fiber precursor acrylic fiber bundle to which the oil for a carbon fiber precursor acrylic fiber is adhered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Hiromi Aso, Mitsuhiro Hamada, Satoshi Nagatsuka, Tetsuo Takano, Motoi Konishi, Masaaki Tsuchihashi
  • Patent number: 10450399
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aerogel made from a polyhydroxy benzene compound crosslinked with formaldehyde. The aerogel is dry and has a first volume and wherein the aerogel can be exposed to a liquid and be re-dried in a gas while retaining at least 70% of the first volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Southern Research Institute
    Inventors: Andrew Wayne Cain, William Madison Parks, Rebecca J. Boohaker, Ashish Pathak, Saibal Chakraborty
  • Patent number: 10308472
    Abstract: A carbon fiber precursor fiber bundle which permits easy bundling of a plurality of small tows into one bundle, is provided with a dividing capability to divide into the original small tows spontaneously at the time of firing, and is suitable for obtaining a carbon fiber that is excellent in productivity and quality. A carbon fiber precursor fiber bundle that has a degree of intermingle of 1 m?1 or less between small tows, consists of substantially straight fibers without imparted crimp, a tow of which straight fibers has a moisture content of less than 10% by mass when housed in a container, and has a widthwise dividing capability to maintain a form of a single aggregate of tows when housed in a container, taken out from the container and guided into a firing step, and to divide into a plurality of small tows in the firing step by the tension generated in the firing step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Ikeda, Nobuyuki Shimozawa
  • Patent number: 10105655
    Abstract: A semi-porous composite membrane and a method of manufacturing the semi-porous composite membrane. The semi-porous composite membrane includes a base supporting substrate comprising ?-Al2O3, an outer layer comprising silica, and an intermediate layer comprising crystalline fibers of boehmite, and at least one of a secondary metal oxide and a synthetic polymer, wherein the intermediate layer is disposed between the base supporting substrate and the outer layer. The crystalline fibers of boehmite are a length of 5-150 nm. The semi-porous composite membrane may be employed in membrane reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Md. Hasan Zahir, Alhooshani Khalid
  • Patent number: 10029387
    Abstract: An engineering or constructional member comprising at least two strips bonded with an adhesive; each of the strips comprises bamboo impregnated or treated with a polymer derived from one or more furfuryl alcohol resin precursors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: KEBONY AS
    Inventors: Per Brynildsen, Stig Lande
  • Patent number: 9683313
    Abstract: A method of making a carbon fiber includes heat treating a lignin precursor absent an active ingredient in an inert atmosphere to raise the glass transition temperature (Tg) of the precursor by at least five (5%) percent, forming a lignin precursor having an increased Tg (High Tg Lignin). The High Tg Lignin can be spun into a fiber. The fiber may then be stabilized to form a thermoset fiber. The time period for stabilizing the fiber is less than one hundred (100) hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: GrafTech International Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Ching-Feng Chang, Bassam Alnasleh, Omer Gul, Robert E Miller, Andrew Hausner, Orest L Adrianowycz, Chong Chen, Brian Paul Askey
  • Patent number: 9601753
    Abstract: Methods of preparing negative active materials and negative active materials are provided herein. The preparation methods include: A) mixing a carbon material, an organic polymer, a Sn-containing compound—optionally with water—to obtain a mixed solution system; B) adding a complexing agent into the mixed solution system obtained in step A optionally while stirring to form an intermediate solution; C) adding a reducing agent into the intermediate solution obtained in step B to a reaction product; D) optionally filtering, washing and then drying the reaction product to obtain the negative active material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BYD COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Qiang Wang, Lu Zhang, Li Ma, Yan Zhu, Zhenyue Wu
  • Patent number: 9376765
    Abstract: A carbon fiber having a lattice spacing (d002) of 0.336 nm to 0.338 nm and a crystallite size (Lc002) of 50 nm to 150 nm as measured and evaluated by X-ray diffraction and a fiber diameter of 10 nm to 500 nm, the carbon fiber having no branched structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignees: TEIJIN LIMITED, TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Shinya Komura, Takanori Miyoshi, Mitsunao Kakuta, Eiichi Yasuda
  • Patent number: 9188384
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a dynamically evacuable, electrically operated device comprising a coherently evacuable region and a temperature-controllable useful region, which is thermally insulated from the ambient temperature by the coherently evacuable region, and also a means for actively maintaining a vacuum, such that the pressure in the coherently evacuable region of the device is constantly within a defined pressure range, said coherently evacuable region making up at least 20% by volume of the total volume which is occupied by a porous and/or cellular insulating material in the device, and said coherently evacuable region comprising at least one organic aerogel and/or organic xerogel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Assignee: BASF SE
    Inventors: Marc Fricke, Markus Schütte, Frank Fechner, Jörg Krogmann
  • Patent number: 9149828
    Abstract: A changing device includes a feed component, a winder, a desizing oven, a coating component and a sizing component, and the feed component is provided for supplying a carbon fiber material, and a thermosetting resin oil is covered onto a surface of the carbon fiber material, and a desizing oven is provided for removing the thermosetting resin oil form the surface of the carbon fiber material, and then the coating component coats a surfactant onto the surface of the carbon fiber material, and finally the sizing component is used to coat a thermoplastic resin oil onto a surface of the surfactant to form a carbon fiber product to be wound onto a rewinding part of the winder, so as to produce a carbon fiber product with a thermoplastic resin oil coated onto a surface of the carbon fiber product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: UHT UNITECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Chih-Yung Wang
  • Patent number: 8986647
    Abstract: Robust oiling agent compositions for use in preparing carbon fibers from acrylic polymer carbon fiber precursors contain at least one silicone copolymer minimally containing an organopolysiloxane moiety, a polyoxyalkylene polyether moiety, and at least one internal or terminal urea or urethane group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Wacker Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Goekhan Ural, Michael W. Head, Megan P. Powell
  • Publication number: 20150044125
    Abstract: An acrylic-fiber finish for carbon fiber production is prepared into a stable emulsion and applied to a carbon-fiber precursor to prevent gumming up of finish components in precursor production and carbon fiber fusing in baking process. The acrylic-fiber finish is used for carbon-fiber production and includes a modified silicone having a modifying group containing a nitrogen atom and an acidic phosphate ester represented by the following chemical formula (1). where R1 represents a C6-22 alkyl or alkenyl group, A represents a C2-4 alkylene group, and AO represents an oxyalkylene group, n represents a mole number of oxyalkylene group and is an integer ranging from 0 to 20, and each of a and b is an integer of 1 or 2 and meets the equation a+b=3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: MATSUMOTO YUSHI-SEIYAKU CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshio Hashimoto, Takeyoshi Nakayama, Jun Takaya, Mikio Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 8906339
    Abstract: The invention provides a high module carbon fiber and a fabrication method thereof. The high module carbon fiber includes the product fabricated by the following steps: subjecting a pre-oxidized carbon fiber to a microwave assisted graphitization process, wherein the pre-oxidized carbon fiber is heated to a graphitization temperature of 1000-3000° C. for 1-30 min. Further, the high module carbon fiber has a tensile strength of between 2.0-6.5 GPa and a module of between 200-650 GPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Chih-Yung Wang, I-Wen Liu, Jong-Pyng Chen, Shu-Hui Cheng, Syh-Yuh Cheng
  • Publication number: 20140306364
    Abstract: Method for the preparation of carbon fiber, which comprises: (i) immersing functionalized polyvinyl precursor fiber into a liquid solution having a boiling point of at least 60° C.; (ii) heating the liquid solution to a first temperature of at least 25° C. at which the functionalized precursor fiber engages in an elimination-addition equilibrium while a tension of at least 0.1 MPa is applied to the fiber; (iii) gradually raising the first temperature to a final temperature that is at least 20° C. above the first temperature and up to the boiling point of the liquid solution for sufficient time to convert the functionalized precursor fiber to a pre-carbonized fiber; and (iv) subjecting the pre-carbonized fiber produced according to step (iii) to high temperature carbonization conditions to produce the final carbon fiber. Articles and devices containing the fibers, including woven and non-woven mats or paper forms of the fibers, are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: UT-Battelle, LLC
  • Publication number: 20140134094
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oil agent for carbon-fiber precursor acrylic fiber, including at least one type of compound selected from groups of a hydroxybenzoate (Compound A), a cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid (Compound B and C), a cyclohexanedimethanol and/or a cyclohexanediol and a fatty acid (Compound D and E) and an isophoronediisocyanate-aliphatic alcohol adduct (Compound F), an oil composition for carbon-fiber precursor acrylic fiber, a processed-oil solution for carbon-fiber precursor acrylic fiber, and a method for producing a carbon-fiber precursor acrylic fiber bundle, and a carbon-fiber bundle using the carbon-fiber precursor acrylic fiber bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Aso, Masaaki Tsuchihashi, Tetsuo Takano
  • Patent number: 8663591
    Abstract: Provided are a method of preparing a graphene shell and a graphene shell prepared using the method. A first heat treatment is performed on a mixture of an organic solvent and a graphitization catalyst so as to carburize the graphitization catalyst with carbon decomposed from the organic solvent. The graphitization catalyst is in the form of particles. A second heat treatment process is performed on the carburized graphitization catalyst in an inert or reductive gas atmosphere to thereby form graphene shells on surfaces of the carburized graphitization catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seon-mi Yoon, Jae-young Choi, Hyeon-Jin Shin
  • Patent number: 8501146
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing hollow carbon fibers having an empty space in the cross section thereof. More specifically, the disclosed method includes melt-spinning an acrylonitrile-based polymer by using a supercritical fluid as a plasticizer; drawing spun fibers to prepare hollow precursor fibers; and stabilizing and carbonizing the hollow precursor fibers to prepare the hollow carbon fibers. The hollow carbon fibers obtained by the disclosed method have at least a 10 to 50% lower specific gravity than conventional hollow carbon fibers (solid), but have similar mechanical properties to the conventional fibers. Furthermore, the diameter of carbon fibers can be adjusted, thereby making it possible to widen the application of hollow carbon fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Young-Ho Choi, Do Suck Han, Chi-Hoon Choi
  • Publication number: 20130183227
    Abstract: A fusible lignin has a gas transition temperature in the range between 90 and 160° C. determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), a molar mass distribution with a dispersivity of less than 28, determined using gel permeation chromatography (GPC), an ash content of less than 1 wt. %, and a proportion of volatile components of a maximum of 1 wt. %. Also provided is a precursor fiber based on the fusible lignin, as well as a method for the production thereof Also provided is a method for producing a carbon fiber from the precursor fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: TOHO TENAX EUROPE GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Wohlmann, Michael Wolki, Silke Stusgen
  • Publication number: 20130152793
    Abstract: Carbon molecular sieves (CMS) membranes having improved thermal and/or mechanical properties are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a carbon molecular sieve membrane for separating a first and one or more second gases from a feed mixture of the first gas and one or more second gases comprises a hollow filamentary carbon core and a thermally stabilized polymer precursor disposed on at least an outer portion of the core. In some embodiments, the thermally stabilized polymer precursor is created by the process of placing in a reaction vessel the carbon molecular sieve membrane comprising an unmodified aromatic imide polymer, filling the reaction vessel with a modifying agent, and changing the temperature of the reaction vessel at a temperature ramp up rate and ramp down rate for a period of time so that the modifying agent alters the unmodified aromatic imide polymer to form a thermally stabilized polymer precursor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Applicant: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventor: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130101494
    Abstract: Robust oiling agent compositions for use in preparing carbon fibers from acrylic polymer carbon fiber precursors contain at least one silicone copolymer minimally containing an organopolysiloxane moiety, a polyoxyalkylene polyether moiety, and at least one internal or terminal urea or urethane group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2011
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: WACKER CHEMICAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Goekhan Ural, Michael W. Head, Megan P. Powell
  • Publication number: 20130084455
    Abstract: Methods for the preparation of carbon fiber from polyolefin fiber precursor, wherein the polyolefin fiber precursor is partially sulfonated and then carbonized to produce carbon fiber. Methods for producing hollow carbon fibers, wherein the hollow core is circular- or complex-shaped, are also described. Methods for producing carbon fibers possessing a circular- or complex-shaped outer surface, which may be solid or hollow, are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventor: UT-Battelle, LLC
  • Patent number: 8304465
    Abstract: A method for the preparation of high strength air-dried organic aerogels. The method involves the sol-gel polymerization of organic gel precursors, such as resorcinol with formaldehyde (RF) in aqueous solvents with R/C ratios greater than about 1000 and R/F ratios less than about 1:2.1. Using a procedure analogous to the preparation of resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) aerogels, this approach generates wet gels that can be air dried at ambient temperatures and pressures. The method significantly reduces the time and/or energy required to produce a dried aerogel compared to conventional methods using either supercritical solvent extraction. The air dried gel exhibits typically less than 5% shrinkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Coronado, Joe H. Satcher, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8206624
    Abstract: A method for producing carbon nanotubes uses a polymer as a raw material to undergo in situ thermal decomposition. The method includes steps of mixing the polymer and metallic catalyst through a multiple heating stage process of in-situ thermal decomposition to carbonize the polymer and release carbon elements to produce carbon nanotubes. Advantages of the present invention include easy to prepare, low temperature in manipulation, low production cost, and high safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: National Chung Cheng University
    Inventors: Yuan-Yao Li, Chao-Wei Huang
  • Publication number: 20120077020
    Abstract: (Problem) In conventional method for producing artificial graphite, in order to obtain a product having excellent crystallinity, it was necessary to mold a filler and a binder and then repeat impregnation, carbonization and graphitization, and since carbonization and graphitization proceeded by a solid phase reaction, a period of time of as long as 2 to 3 months was required for the production and cost was high and further, a large size structure in the shape of column and cylinder could not be produced. In addition, nanocarbon materials such as carbon nanotube, carbon nanofiber and carbon nanohorn could not be produced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Kazuo Muramatsu, Masahiro Toyoda
  • Patent number: 8137810
    Abstract: A process for producing polyacrylonitrile-base precursor fibers for production of carbon fibers, which comprises spinning a spinning dope containing 10 to 25 wt % of a polyacrylonitrile-base polymer having an intrinsic viscosity of 2.0 to 10.0 by extruding the spinning dope from a spinneret by a wet spinning or a dry wet spinning method, drying and heat-treating fibers obtained by the spinning, and then steam drawing the resulting fibers, wherein the linear extrusion rate of the polyacrylonitrile-base polymer from the spinneret is 2 to 15 m/min. Carbon fibers which are produced by stabilizing-carbonizing treatment of the polyacrylonitrile-base precursor fibers and which have a strand tensile modulus of 320 to 380 GPa and a conduction electron density of 3.0×1019 to 7.0×1019 spins/g as determined by electron spin resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Masafumi Ise, Isao Nakayama, Makoto Endo
  • Patent number: 7993780
    Abstract: This invention provides a process for producing a lithium secondary battery. The process comprises: (a) providing a positive electrode; (b) providing a negative electrode comprising a carbonaceous material capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium ions, wherein the carbonaceous material is obtained by chemically or electrochemically treating a laminar graphite material to form a graphite crystal structure having an interplanar spacing d002 of at least 0.400 nm as determined from a (002) reflection peak in powder X-ray diffraction; and (c) providing a non-aqueous electrolyte disposed between the negative electrode and the positive electrode to form the battery structure. This larger interplanar spacing (greater than 0.400 nm, preferably no less than 0.55 nm) implies a larger interstitial space between two graphene planes to accommodate a greater amount of lithium. The resulting battery exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacity, an excellent reversible capacity, and a long cycle life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Nanotek Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Bor Z. Jang, Aruna Zhamu
  • Patent number: 7981396
    Abstract: Methods, processes, and apparatuses for the large scale synthesis of carbon nanostructures are provided. Metal catalysts having small diameter and narrow distribution of particle sizes are prepared and continuously injected as aerosols into a reactor. The metal catalysts are supported on supports that are substantially free of carbon, and the reactor is configured to control the flow of the gases such that the reaction time and contact of the reactants with the reactor walls can be controlled. Single-walled carbon nanotubes can be synthesized at a large scale and with high yields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Avetik Harutyunyan
  • Publication number: 20110158895
    Abstract: The invention provides a high module carbon fiber and a fabrication method thereof. The high module carbon fiber includes the product fabricated by the following steps: subjecting a pre-oxidized carbon fiber to a microwave assisted graphitization process, wherein the pre-oxidized carbon fiber is heated to a graphitization temperature of 1000-3000° C. for 1-30 min. Further, the high module carbon fiber has a tensile strength of between 2.0-6.5 GPa and a module of between 200-650 GPa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2010
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chih-Yung Wang, I-Wen Liu, Jong-Pyng Chen, Shu-Hui Cheng, Syh-Yuh Cheng
  • Patent number: 7947114
    Abstract: A process for the production of a carbon membrane comprising: (i) reacting a mixture of cellulose and hemicellulose with an acid; (ii) casting the mixture to form a film, (iii) drying said film; and (iv) carbonizing said film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: NTNU Technology Transfer AS
    Inventors: May-Britt Hagg, Jon Arvid Lie
  • Patent number: 7887771
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures include 1) forming intermediate carbon nanostructures by polymerizing a carbon precursor in the presence of templating nanoparticles, 2) carbonizing the intermediate carbon nanostructures to form an intermediate composite nanostructure, and 3) removing the templating nanoparticles from the intermediate composite nanostructure to form carbon nanorings. The carbon nanorings manufactured using the foregoing steps have one or more carbon layers forming a wall that defines a generally annular nanostructure having a hole. The length of the nanoring is less than or about equal to the outer diameter thereof. The carbon nanostructures are well-suited for use as a fuel cell catalyst support. The carbon nanostructures exhibit high surface area, high porosity, high graphitization, and facilitate mass transfer and electron transfer in fuel cell reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignees: Headwaters Technology Innovation, LLC, Dalian Institute
    Inventors: Gongquan Sun, Shuihua Tang, Shiguo Sun, Qin Xin, Changkun Liu, Bing Zhou
  • Patent number: 7887772
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an ultrafine graphitic carbon fiber and a preparation method thereof. An ultrafine fiber having a diameter of 1 to 3000 nm is prepared by electrospinning a halogenated polymer solution containing a metal compound inducing graphitization. In carbonization, an ultrafine porous graphitic carbon fiber having a large specific surface area, micropores and macropores is prepared by the graphitization by a metal catalyst generated from the metal compound. The ultrafine carbon fiber can be used as a carbon material for storing hydrogen, an adsorbing material of biochemically noxious substances, an electrode material of a supercapacitor, a secondary cell and a fuel cell, and a catalyst carrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Seong-Mu Jo, Dong-Young Kim, Byung-Doo Chin, Sung-Eun Hong
  • Publication number: 20110033705
    Abstract: A carbon fiber having a lattice spacing (d002) of 0.336 nm to 0.338 nm and a crystallite size (Lc002) of 50 nm to 150 nm as measured and evaluated by X-ray diffraction and a fiber diameter of 10 nm to 500 nm, the carbon fiber having no branched structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicants: Teijin Limited, Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Shinya Komura, Takanori Miyoshi, Mitsunao Kakuta, Eiichi Yasuda
  • Publication number: 20100297389
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for fabricating a mesoporous carbon material, the method comprising subjecting a precursor composition to a curing step followed by a carbonization step, the precursor composition comprising: (i) a templating component comprised of a block copolymer, (ii) a phenolic compound or material, (iii) a crosslinkable aldehyde component, and (iv) at least 0.5 M concentration of a strong acid having a pKa of or less than ?2, wherein said carbonization step comprises heating the precursor composition at a carbonizing temperature for sufficient time to convert the precursor composition to a mesoporous carbon material. The invention is also directed to a mesoporous carbon material having an improved thermal stability, preferably produced according to the above method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: UT-BATTELLE, LLC
    Inventors: Sheng Dai, Xiqing Wang
  • Patent number: 7815887
    Abstract: The invention relates to a conductive nonwoven fabric that is carbonized and/or graphitized and possesses a bending rigidity <8 taber, a density of 0.1 g/m3 to 0.5 g/m3, a thickness of 80 ?m to 500 ?m, and an electrical conductivity of 10 to 300 S/cm in the nonwoven fabric strip and 30 to 220 S/cm2 perpendicular to the nonwoven fabric strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
    Inventors: Werner Schäfer, Kurt Jörder, Hans Rettig, Karim Salama, Achim Bock, Silke Wagener, Axel Helmbold
  • Patent number: 7771695
    Abstract: Separation of carbon nanotubes or fullerenes according to diameter through non-covalent pi-pi interaction with molecular clips is provided. Molecular clips are prepared by Diels-Alder reaction of polyacenes with a variety of dienophiles. The pi-pi complexes of carbon nanotrubes with molecular clips are also used for selective placement of carbon nanotubes and fullerenes on substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Ali Afzali-Ardakani, Cherie R. Kagan, Rudolf Tromp
  • Publication number: 20100143235
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a carbon nanofiber of the present invention including dissolving a catalyst-precursor and a supporter-precursor into a solvent of a hydrocarbon-based compound to prepare a reacting solution, atomizing the reacting solution, thermally decomposing the atomized reacting solution to forming particles of the carbon nanofiber, and collecting the particles of the carbon nanofiber. In accordance with the above method, the carbon nanofiber is efficiently mass-produced in situ process and in batch process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Joon-Hee Jeong, Jun Ho Choi, Jin Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7731930
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a carbon nanotube assembly including the steps of: forming metallic fine particles, having a predetermined particle diameter, on a substrate; heating the metallic fine particles to a predetermined temperature of 300° C. to 400° C. in a reducing atmosphere to cause reduction at surfaces thereof; heating the metallic fine particles to a predetermined reaction temperature in a reactor; and introducing an organic compound vapor into the reactor to grow carbon nanotubes on the metallic fine particles in such a way that a time during which the temperature of the metallic fine particles exceeds 450° C. is 600 seconds or fewer for the period of time before the growth of the carbon nanotubes is started after the heating of the metallic fine particles is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Nikon Corporation
    Inventors: Yusuke Taki, Kiyoaki Shinohara
  • Patent number: 7718156
    Abstract: Carbon nanostructures are formed from a carbon precursor and catalytic templating nanoparticles. Methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures generally include (1) forming a precursor mixture that includes a carbon precursor and a plurality of catalytic templating particles, (2) carbonizing the precursor mixture to form an intermediate carbon material including carbon nanostructures, amorphous carbon, and catalytic metal, (3) purifying the intermediate carbon material by removing at least a portion of the amorphous carbon and optionally at least a portion of the catalytic metal, and (4) heat treating the purified intermediate carbon material and/or treating the purified intermediate carbon material with a base to remove functional groups on the surface thereof. The removal of functional groups increases the graphitic content of the carbon nanomaterial and decreases its hydrophilicity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Headwaters Technology Innovation, LLC
    Inventors: Cheng Zhang, Martin Fransson, Bing Zhou
  • Patent number: 7718155
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures include: 1) forming a plurality of catalytic templating particles using a plurality of dispersing agent molecules; 2) forming an intermediate carbon nanostructure by polymerizing a carbon precursor in the presence of the plurality of templating nanoparticles; 3) carbonizing the intermediate carbon nanostructure to form a composite nanostructure; and 4) removing the templating nanoparticles from the composite nanostructure to yield the carbon nanostructures. The carbon nanostructures are well-suited for use as a catalyst support. The carbon nanostructures exhibit high surface area, high porosity, and high graphitization. Carbon nanostructures according to the invention can be used as a substitute for more expensive and likely more fragile carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Headwaters Technology Innovation, LLC
    Inventors: Cheng Zhang, Martin Fransson, Changkun Liu, Bing Zhou
  • Publication number: 20100081351
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for fabrication of porous carbon fibers. More particularly, the method for fabrication of porous carbon fibers comprises the steps of: processing starch to prepare a gelled starch solution; adding organic acid to the gelled starch solution to prepare a starch solution; dissolving carbon nanotubes in a solvent and adding fiber formable polymer thereto to prepare a carbon nanotube/fiber formable polymer solution; mixing the starch solution with the carbon nanotube/fiber formable polymer solution obtained from the above steps, in order to prepare a carbon nanotube/starch/fiber formable polymer solution; electro-spinning or wet-state spinning the prepared carbon nanotube/starch/fiber formable polymer solution to produce starch composite fibers; oxidation heating the starch composite fibers, then, executing carbonization and vacuum heat treatment of the heated fibers, so as to fabricate the porous carbon fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: KOREA ADVANCED INSTITUE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Soon Hyung Hong, Yong Jin Jeong, Kyong Ho Lee, Chan Bin Mo
  • Patent number: 7678738
    Abstract: A method for treating saturated activated coke comprises the following steps: A) The saturated activated coke is subjected to a dehydration treatment so that the water content in the activated coke is ?25%; B) The product obtained from step A is dried at a starting temperature of 120° C.-150° C.; C) The product obtained from step B is subjected to dry distillation and the condition of the dry distillation is that: by heating to a final temperature for the drying of 500° C.-600° C. at a speed of 4° C.-10° C./min and maintaining for 10-60 minutes, the organics adsorbed on the surface and in the pores of the activated coke is cracked, volatilized and carbonized; D) The product obtained from step C is activated and the activation condition is that: after heating to 800° C.-950° C. at 2° C.-8° C./min, a stream is supplied, wherein the weight ratio of the activated coke to the stream is 1:0.5-5 and the activation time is 0.5-2 h. The activated coke after several times of treatment can be used as the fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Mississippi International Water, Inc.
    Inventor: Dawei Zhang
  • Patent number: 7678358
    Abstract: A method of making a carbon fiber from softwood alkaline black liquor lignin by acetylating the lignin to provide a meltable and drawable lignin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser NR Company
    Inventors: Robert C Eckert, Zia Abdullah
  • Publication number: 20100047153
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing carbon fibres from raw materials of renewable origin, comprising: a) synthesis of acrolein from glycerol of vegetable origin; b) ammoxidation of the acrolein to obtain acrylonitrile; c) polymerization of the acrylonitrile to a homopolymer or copolymer of acrylonitrile (PAN); d) conversion of the PAN to PAN fibres; e) partial oxidation of the PAN fibres; and f) carbonization of the partially oxidized PAN fibres. It also relates to the fibres capable of being obtained according to this method, and also to the uses thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Arkema France
    Inventor: Dominique Plee