Abstract: Provided herein is a method of forming a composition by co-processing nanocarbon aggregates and carbon black aggregates, which includes providing nanocarbon aggregates, providing carbon black aggregates, and mixing the nanocarbon aggregates and the carbon black aggregates such that the nanocarbon aggregates disperse into looser aggregates of nanocarbons and carbon black, or individualized nanocarbons dispersed among the carbon black aggregates.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method of forming a composition by co-processing nanocarbon aggregates and carbon black aggregates, which includes providing nanocarbon aggregates, providing carbon black aggregates, and mixing the nanocarbon aggregates and the carbon black aggregates such that the nanocarbon aggregates disperse into looser aggregates of nanocarbons and carbon black, or individualized nanocarbons dispersed among the carbon black aggregates.

Abstract: The invention relates to carbon nanotube structures containing both single walled and multi walled carbon nanotubes, and methods for preparing same. These carbon nanotube structures include but are not limited to macroscopic two and three dimensional structures of carbon nanotubes such as assemblages, mats, plugs, networks, rigid porous structures, extrudates, etc. The carbon nanotube structures of the present invention have a variety of uses, including but not limited to, porous media for filtration, adsorption, chromatography; electrodes and current collectors for supercapacitors, batteries and fuel cells; catalyst supports, (including electrocatalysis), etc.

Abstract: A polymer composite composed of a polymerized mixture of functionalized carbon nanotubes and monomer which chemically reacts with the functionalized nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes are functionalized by reacting with oxidizing or other chemical media through chemical reactions or physical adsorption. The reacted surface carbons of the nanotubes are further functionalized with chemical moieties that react with the surface carbons and selected monomers. The functionalized nanotubes are first dispersed in an appropriate medium such as water, alcohol or a liquefied monomer and then the mixture is polymerized. The polymerization results in polymer chains of increasing weight bound to the surface carbons of the nanotubes. The composite may consists of some polymer chains imbedded in the composite without attachment to the nanotubes.

Abstract: A polymer composite composed of a polymerized mixture of functionalized carbon nanotubes and monomer which chemically reacts with the functionalized nanotubes. The carbon nanotubes are functionalized by reacting with oxidizing or other chemical media through chemical reactions or physical adsorption. The reacted surface carbons of the nanotubes are further functionalized with chemical moieties that react with the surface carbons and selected monomers. The functionalized nanotubes are first dispersed in an appropriate medium such as water, alcohol or a liquefied monomer and then the mixture is polymerized. The polymerization results in polymer chains of increasing weight bound to the surface carbons of the nanotubes. The composite may consists of some polymer chains imbedded in the composite without attachment to the nanotubes.

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: Provided are oxidized carbon nanotube structures including aggregates, networks, assemblages, rigid porous structures, electrodes, and mats. Oxidized carbon nanotubes may be formed by conducting gas-phase oxidation on carbon nanotubes. Gas-phase oxidation may be conducted by contacting carbon nanotubes with gas-phase oxidizing agents, such as CO2, O2, steam, N2O, NO, NO2, O3, ClO2, and mixtures thereof. Near critical and supercritical water can also be used as oxidizing agents. Oxidized carbon nanotube structures may include a plurality of oxidized carbon nanotubes along with a supported catalyst, which was used to grow carbon nanotubes prior to oxidation. The supported catalyst may be subjected to gas-phase oxidation and may remain with the oxidized carbon nanotubes in oxidized carbon nanotube structures.

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.

Abstract: Provided are inks and coatings including carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Methods of preparing single walled carbon nanotubes are provided. An arrangement comprising one or more layers of fullerene in contact with one side of a metal layer and a solid carbon source in contact with the other side of metal layer is prepared. The fullerene/metal layer/solid carbon source arrangement is then heated to a temperature below where the fullerenes sublime. Single walled carbon nanotubes are grown on the fullerene side of the metal layer.

Abstract: An activated catalyst capable of selectively growing single-walled carbon nanotubes when reacted with carbonaceous gas is provided. The activated catalyst is formed by reducing a catalyst that comprises a complex oxide. The complex oxide may be of formula Ax-wFwBy-vGvOz wherein x/y?2; z/y?4; 0?w?0.3x; 0?v?0.3y; A is a Group VIII element; F is an element that is different from A but has, in said composition, the same valence state as A; B is an element different from A and F, and is an element whose simple oxide, in which B is at the same valence state as in the complex oxide, is not reducible in the presence of hydrogen gas at a temperature less than about 900° C.; G is an element different from A, B and F, and is an element whose simple oxide, in which G is at the same valence state as in the complex oxide, is not reducible in the presence of hydrogen gas at a temperature less than about 900° C.; and O is oxygen. The complex oxide is reduced at a temperature less that 950° C.

Abstract: An improved catalyst for producing carbon fibrils is made by incorporating an effective yield-enhancing amount of a carboxylate into a fibril-forming catalyst. Alternatively, such a catalyst is made by coprecipitating a compound of a metal having fibril-forming catalytic properties and an aluminum and/or magnesium compound, optionally in the presence of carbon particles or carbon fibril aggregates. The catalyst may also be made by incorporating a compound of a fibril-forming metal onto magnesia particles in carbon particles or carbon fibril aggregates. The catalysts, methods of using them to form carbon fibrils and those carbon fibrils are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of preparing single walled carbon nanotubes are provided. Carbon containing gas is contacted with a supported metal catalyst under reaction conditions to yield at least 90% single walled carbon nanotubes and at least 1 gram single walled carbon nanotubes/gram metal catalyst. The support material may be calcined at temperatures between 150 and 600° C., and may have at least one oxidized planar surface. Reaction conditions include less than 10 atmospheres pressure and less than 800° C.

Abstract: Provided are inks and coatings including carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: An improved catalyst for producing carbon fibrils is made by incorporating an effective yield-enhancing amount of a carboxylate into a fibril-forming catalyst. Alternatively, such a catalyst is made by coprecipitating a compound of a metal having fibril-forming catalytic properties and an aluminum and/or magnesium compound, optionally in the presence of carbon particles or carbon fibril aggregates. The catalyst may also be made by incorporating a compound of a fibril-forming metal onto magnesia particles in carbon particles or carbon fibril aggregates. The catalysts, methods of using them to form carbon fibrils and those carbon fibrils are also disclosed.

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 present invention relates to electroconductive inks and methods of making and using the same. The electroconductive inks include carbon fibrils and a liquid vehicle. The electroconductive ink may further include a polymeric binder. The electroconductive filler used is carbon fibrils which may be oxidized. The ink has rheological properties similar to that of commercially available electroconductive inks that use carbon black as their filler. The ink can be screen-printed, slot-coated, sprayed, brushed or dipped onto a wide variety of substrates to form an electroconductive coating.

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: 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: A new method for preparing a supported catalyst is herein provided. Carbon nanotubes are functionalized by contacting them with an oxidizing agent to form functionalized carbon nanotubes. A metal catalyst is then loaded or deposited onto the functionalized carbon nanotubes. The mixture is then extruded to form the supported catalyst comprising a carbon nanotube structure containing metal catalyst more evenly dispersed within the internal structure of the carbon nanotube structure.