Abstract: A multilayered polymeric structure having at least two polymeric layers is provided, each layer being a mixture of a polymeric composition with carbon fibrils. The multilayer polymeric structure may include an electrically conductive material between the first and second polymeric layers. A process for making a multilayered polymeric structure for packaging electronic components is also provided. The multilayered polymeric material is used to form trays and packages for containing electrical components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a field emission device comprising an anode and a cathode, wherein said cathode includes carbon nanotubes which have been treated with an ion beam. The ion beam may be any ions, including gallium, hydrogen, helium, argon, carbon, oxygen, and xenon ions. The present invention also relates to a field emission cathode comprising carbon nanotubes, wherein the nanotubes have been treated with an ion beam. A method for treating the carbon nanotubes and for creating a field emission cathode is also disclosed. A field emission display device containing carbon nanotube which have been treated with an ion beam is further disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions including carbide-containing nanorods and/or oxycarbide-containing nanorods and/or carbon nanotubes bearing carbides and oxycarbides and methods of making the same are provided. Rigid porous structures including oxycarbide-containing nanorods and/or carbide containing nanorods and/or carbon nanotubes bearing carbides and oxycarbides and methods of making the same are also provided. The compositions and rigid porous structures of the invention can be used either as catalyst and/or catalyst supports in fluid phase catalytic chemical reactions. Processes for making supported catalyst for selected fluid phase catalytic reactions are also provided.

Abstract: A new method for recovering a catalytic metal and carbon nanotubes from a supported catalyst is provided. The carbon nanotube, including carbon nanotube structures, may serve as the support for the catalytic metal. The valence state of the catalytic metal, if not already in the positive state, is raised to a positive state by contacting the supported catalyst with a mild oxidizing agent under conditions which does not destroy the carbon nanotube. The supported catalyst is simultaneously or subsequently contacted with an acid solution to dissolve the catalytic metal without dissolving the carbon nanotube.

Abstract: A method of treating carbon fibrils and carbon fibril structures such as assemblages, aggregates and hard porous structures with a plasma to effect an alteration of the surface or structure of the carbon fibril or fibrils. The method can be utilized to functionalize, prepare for functionalization or otherwise modify the fibril surface via a “dry” chemical process.

Abstract: Methods for forming compositions including carbide-containing nanorods and/or oxycarbide-containing nanorods and/or carbon nanotubes bearing carbides and oxycarbides. Rigid porous structures including oxycarbide-containing nanorods and/or carbide containing nanorods and/or carbon nanotubes bearing modified carbides and oxycarbides and methods of making the same are also provided. The compositions and rigid porous structures of the invention can be used either as catalyst and/or catalyst supports in fluid phase catalytic chemical reactions. Processes for making supported catalyst for selected fluid phase catalytic reactions are also provided.

Abstract: The invention concerns a colloidal dispersion of a phosphate of a rare earth and a process for its preparation. The dispersion is characterized in that it comprises anisotropic and disaggregated or disaggregatable particles of a phosphate of at least one rare earth and an anion of a monobasic acid, soluble in water and with a pKa of at least 2.5. It is prepared by a process in which a solution of a salt of at least one rare earth is mixed with phosphate ions while controlling the pH of the reaction medium to a value in the range 4 to 9 and in the presence of a monobasic acid, soluble in water and with a pKa of at least 2.5; the mixture obtained optionally undergoes a maturing step; the precipitate is then separated from the reaction medium; and said precipitate is then dispersed in water.

Abstract: The invention concerns an aqueous colloidal dispersion of isotropic particles of a phosphate of at least one rare earth and is characterized in that it comprises either a complexing agent with a pK (cologarithm of the dissociation constant of the complex formed by the complexing agent and said rare earth) of more than 2.5; or an anion of a monobasic acid, soluble in water and with a pKa in the range 2.5 to 5; or said complexing agent and/or said anion of a monobasic acid. In the case of cerium and lanthanum, the mean particle size is at most 20 nm. The dispersions can have a degree of colloid agglomeration of less than 40%.This dispersion can be prepared by forming an aqueous mixture comprising at least one rare earth salt and the complexing agent or monobasic acid anion; by adding a base then phosphate ions to the mixture formed; and heating the mixture obtained. A precipitate is obtained that is re-dispersed in water.

Abstract: Methods of preparing conductive thermoset precursors containing carbon nanotubes is provided. Also provided is a method of preparing conductive thermosets containing carbon nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes may in individual form or in the form of aggregates having a macromorpology resembling the shape of a cotton candy, bird nest, combed yarn or open net. Preferred multiwalled carbon nanotubes have diameters no greater than 1 micron and preferred single walled carbon nanotubes have diameters less than 5 nm. Carbon nanotubes may be adequately dispersed in a thermoset precursor by using a extrusion process generally reserved for thermoplastics. The thermoset precursor may be a precursor for epoxy, phenolic, polyimide, urethane, polyester, vinyl ester or silicone. A preferred thermoset precursor is a bisphenol A derivative.

Abstract: The invention concerns a light transforming material, in particular for greenhouse walls, comprising as additive a barium and magnesium silicate of formula Ba3(1-x)Eu3xMg1-yMnySi2O8, wherein 0<x?0.3 and 0<y?0.3and 0<y=0.3. The material is capable of transforming solar energy of UV range into a red light. The material can also be used in paints and cosmetics.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for preparing an oxide based on zirconium and titanium in which a liquid medium containing a zirconium compound and a titanium compound is formed; said medium is then heated; the precipitate obtained from the end of the preceding step is recovered and optionally, said precipitate is calcined. The invention also concerns an oxide based on zirconium and titanium. Said oxide can comprise in the range 30% to 40% by weight of titanium oxide and in this case it has a pure ZrTiO4 type structure or a mixture of phases of structure type ZrTiO4 and structure type anatase. Said oxide can also comprise in the range 10% to 20% by weight of titanium oxide and it then has a specific surface area of at least 40 m2/g after calcining for 5 hours at 800° C.

Abstract: A new method for preparing a supported catalyst is herein provided. A carbon nanotube structure such as a rigid porous structure is formed from single walled carbon nanotubes. A metal catalyst is then loaded or deposited onto the carbon nanotube structure. The loaded carbon nanotube is preferably ground to powder form.

Abstract: A method of treating carbon fibrils and carbon fibril structures such as assemblages, aggregates and hard porous structures with a plasma to effect an alteration of the surface or structure of the carbon fibril or fibrils. The method can be utilized to functionalize, prepare for functionalization or otherwise modify the fibril surface via a “dry” chemical process.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous paint composition, particularly a lacquer or a varnish and an aqueous colloidal dispersion of cerium. Said dispersion has a pH of at least 7 and comprises an organic acid with at least three acid functions of which the third pK is at most 10 or a salt of said acid with ammonia or an amine. Said composition has an improved water content and mechanical properties which improve throughout the life thereof or the duration of the presence thereof on the substrate for protection.

Abstract: The colloidal dispersion of the invention is characterized in that it comprises an organic phase; particles of an iron compound in its amorphous form; and at least one amphiphilic agent. It is prepared by a process in which either an iron salt in the presence of an iron complexing agent or an iron complex is reacted with a base, maintaining the pH of the reaction medium at a value of at most 8 to obtain a precipitate, the iron complexing agent being selected from hydrosoluble carboxylic acids with a complexing constant K such that the pK is at least 3 and the iron complex being selected from the products of reacting iron salts with said acids; then the precipitate obtained or a suspension containing said precipitate is brought into contact with an organic phase in the presence of an amphiphilic agent to obtain the dispersion in an organic phase. The dispersion of the invention can be used as a combustion additive in liquid fuel or motor fuel.

Abstract: Methods of preparing single walled carbon nanotubes from a metal catalyst having deposited thereon fullerenes are provided. Fullerenes are deposited onto a metal catalyst precursor or metal catalyst. In the presence of a carbon containing gas, the metal catalyst precursor/fullerene composition is then exposed to conditions suitable for reducing the metal catalyst precursor, for subliming the fullerene and for growing single walled carbon nanotubes. The fullerenes form the end caps for the resulting single walled carbon nanotubes, which are uniform in diameter.

Abstract: An electrically conductive composite comprising a polyvinylidene fluoride polymer or copolymer and carbon nanotubes is provided. Preferably, carbon nanotubes may be present in the range of about 0.5-20% by weight of the composite. The composites are prepared by dissolving the polymer in a first solvent to form a polymer solution and then adding the carbon nanotubes into the solution. The solution is mixed using an energy source such as a sonicator or a Waring blender. A precipitating component is added to precipitate out a composite comprising the polymer and the nanotubes. The composite is isolated by filtering the solution and drying the composite.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a field emission device comprising an anode and a cathode, wherein said cathode includes carbon nanotubes nanotubes which have been subjected to energy, plasma, chemical, or mechanical treatment. The present invention also relates to a field emission cathode comprising carbon nanotubes which have been subject to such treatment. A method for treating the carbon nanotubes and for creating a field emission cathode is also disclosed. A field emission display device containing carbon nanotube which have been subject to such treatment is further disclosed.

Abstract: A method of oxidizing the surface of carbon microfibers that includes contacting the microfibers with an oxidizing agent that includes sulfuric acid and potassium chlorate under reaction conditions sufficient to oxidize the surface. The invention also features a method of decreasing the length of carbon microfibers that includes contacting the microfibers with an oxidizing agent under reaction conditions sufficient to decrease the length.

Abstract: Methods of oxidizing multiwalled carbon nanotubes are provided. The multiwalled carbon nanotubes are oxidized by contacting the carbon nanotubes with gas-phase oxidizing agents such as CO2, O2, steam, N2O, NO, NO2, O3, and ClO2. Near critical and supercritical water can also be used as oxidizing agents. The multiwalled carbon nanotubes oxidized according to methods of the invention can be used to prepare rigid porous structures which can be utilized to form electrodes for fabrication of improved electrochemical capacitors.