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: This invention concerns composite materials comprising a plurality of carbon fibrils in a matrix wherein the carbon fibrils are each characterized by a substantially constant diameter between about 3.5 to 70 nanometers and are substantially free of pyrolytically deposited thermal carbon.

Abstract: A high surface area carbon nanofiber is provided. The carbon nanofiber has an outer surface on which a porous high surface area layer is formed. A method of making the high surface area carbon nanofiber includes pyrolizing a polymeric coating substance provided on the outer surface of the carbon nanofiber at a temperature below the temperature at which the polymeric coating substance melts. The polymeric coating substance used as the high surface area around the carbon nanofiber may include phenolics-formaldehyde, polyacrylonitrile, styrene, divinyl benzene, cellulosic polymers and cyclotrimerized diethynyl benzene. The high surface area polymer which covers the carbon nanofiber may be functionalized with one or more functional groups.

Abstract: Silicon nitride nanowhiskers predominantly having diameters substantially less than about 200 nm are disclosed. The nanowhiskers of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 are produced by reacting gaseous SiO and N.sub.2 at elevated temperature and pressure in a reaction zone in the presence of a plurality of disperse carbon nanotubes having a diameter of from 3.5 to 70 nm.

Abstract: A compounding process for preparing a composite that includes introducing one or more fillers and a matrix material into a stirred ball mill and subjecting the fillers and the matrix material to a combination of shear and impact forces under reaction conditions including reaction time sufficient to reduce the size of agglomerates formed by the fillers to a value below a pre-determined value to disperse the fillers throughout the matrix material.

Abstract: A polymeric composition having improved toughness and conductivity comprising carbon fibrils, at least a portion of which are in the form of aggregates, wherein, as measured on an area basis, substantially all of the aggregates are less than about 35 .mu.m in diameter. A polymeric composition having improved toughness and conductivity is prepared by combining carbon fibrils, at least a portion of which are in the form of aggregates, with a polymeric material, mixing the combination to distribute the fibrils in the polymeric material and applying shear to the combination to break down the aggregates until substantially all of the aggregates are less than about 35 .mu.m in diameter.

Abstract: A polymeric composition having improved toughness and conductivity comprising carbon fibrils, at least a portion of which are in the form of aggregates, wherein, as measured on an area basis, substantially all of the aggregates are less than about 35 .mu.m in diameter. A polymeric composition having improved toughness and conductivity is prepared by combining carbon fibrils, at least a portion of which are in the form of aggregates, with a polymeric material, mixing the combination to distribute the fibrils in the polymeric material and applying shear to the combination to break down the aggregates until substantially all of the aggregates are less than about 35 .mu.m in diameter.

Abstract: A composite that includes a reaction injection molded matrix into which carbon fibrils have been incorporated, and a molding composition suitable for preparing such a composite. The invention also features a composite that includes a premix in which carbon fibrils have been incorporated into a resin matrix, and the molded product of the premix.

Abstract: A process for preparing carbon fibrils using discrete, unfused, metal-containing catalytic particles encapsulated in non-graphitic carbon, a carbide, or an organic polymer.

Abstract: An improved electrochemical cell that includes a catalytic electrode on which an electrochemical reaction occurs into which is incorporated an amount of electrically conductive carbon microfibers having diameters less than or equal to 0.1 micron sufficient to enhance the electrical conductivity of the electrode.

Abstract: An electrically conductive composite in a form suitable for applying to the surface of a substrate that includes a polymeric binder into which carbon fibrils are incorporated.