Abstract: An object is to provide an SWCNT slurry for bioimaging with reduced toxicity that causes no aggregation of semiconductor SWCNTs, no accumulation in a specific site when administered to a living organism, and no clogging in blood vessels such as those in the lungs. In order to achieve the above-described object, a semiconductor single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) slurry for bioimaging according to the present invention includes: semiconductor SWCNTs having an average particle size of less than 10 nm; and a dispersant composed of an amphiphilic substance that coats the surfaces of the SWCNTs.

Abstract: The invention has for its object to provide an aqueous solution for structural separation capable of acting on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) having a specific structure thereby separating them with high accuracy, a separation and recovery method capable of allowing the aqueous solution to act on CNTs having a specific structure thereby separating and recovering them, and CNTs obtained by the separation and recovery method. According to the invention, it is possible to separate CNTs having a specific structure with high accuracy by solubilizing lithocholic acid or a lithocolic acid isomer that has high hydrophobicity and is insoluble in water by itself, and a carbon nanotube obtained by using an aqueous solution containing lithocholic acid or a lithocholic acid isomer, each solubilized, as an aqueous solution for structural separation of CNTs.

Abstract: The invention has for its object to provide an aqueous solution for structural separation capable of acting on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) having a specific structure thereby separating them with high accuracy, a separation and recovery method capable of allowing the aqueous solution to act on CNTs having a specific structure thereby separating and recovering them, and CNTs obtained by the separation and recovery method. According to the invention, it is possible to separate CNTs having a specific structure with high accuracy by solubilizing lithocholic acid or a lithocolic acid isomer that has high hydrophobicity and is insoluble in water by itself, and a carbon nanotube obtained by using an aqueous solution containing lithocholic acid or a lithocholic acid isomer, each solubilized, as an aqueous solution for structural separation of CNTs.

Abstract: An object is to provide a method of inspection enabling a slurry of a batch resulting in abnormal accumulation to be identified in advance, and to provide an SWCNT slurry for bioimaging that has undergone the inspection. In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a method for inspecting a semiconductor single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) slurry for bioimaging, the slurry comprising: semiconductor SWCNTs oxidized by being directly irradiated with ultraviolet rays in atmosphere and a dispersant composed of an amphiphilic substance that coats surfaces of the SWCNTs, the method comprising: using at least two types of methods selected from the group consisting of absorption spectroscopy, a photoluminescence method, and particle size measurement, confirming that an average particle size of the semiconductor SWCNTs is smaller than 10 nm, isolated dispersibility of the semiconductor SWCNTs is high, and/or the semiconductor SWCNTs are oxidized.

Abstract: An object is to provide an SWCNT slurry for bioimaging with reduced toxicity that causes no aggregation of semiconductor SWCNTs, no accumulation in a specific site when administered to a living organism, and no clogging in blood vessels such as those in the lungs. In order to achieve the above-described object, a semiconductor single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) slurry for bioimaging according to the present invention includes: semiconductor SWCNTs having an average particle size of less than 10 nm; and a dispersant composed of an amphiphilic substance that coats the surfaces of the SWCNTs.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a method of accurately separating optically active CNTs with single (n, m), as well as optically active carbon nanotubes obtained by the method. A plurality of gel-filled columns are connected in series. An excess amount of carbon nanotube dispersion passes therethrough, so that carbon nanotubes with specific optical activities are adsorbed to each of the columns. The carbon nanotubes are eluted by an eluent. In this manner, optically active carbon nanotubes with specific structures can be separated with high accuracy.

Abstract: An industrially highly useful CNT separation method is provided whereby metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs can be efficiently separated and purified in large quantities in a short time period from CNTs containing these carbon nanotubes, using inexpensive equipment and in simple steps, and whereby metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs can be separated at low cost. The CNT separation method includes adding a CNT dispersion to a powder-charged separation vessel to selectively adsorb the semiconducting CNTs to the powder, and eluting the semiconducting CNTs adsorbed to the powder after collecting the metallic CNTs.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for separating metallic CNT and semiconducting CNT, comprising treating with a physical separation means of centrifugation, freezing-thawing-squeezing, diffusion, permeation or the like using a gel containing CNT as a dispersed and isolated state (CNT-containing gel), to thereby make semiconducting CNT exist in gel and make metallic CNT exist in solution.

Abstract: Metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs are efficiently separated from a CNT mixture of these CNTs, and semiconducting CNTs are separated by structure by using a method that enables separation in high yield in a short time period while conveniently enabling mass processing and automatic processing with inexpensive equipment. Multiple columns charged with gel are connected in series, and excess amounts of a CNT dispersion is passed through the columns to adsorb only the CNTs of a specific structure on the columns. The CNTs are then eluted with an elution to separate CNTs of different structures with high accuracy. The present technique represents a method that conveniently enables mass processing and automatic processing at high yield in a short time period with inexpensive equipment.

Abstract: Provided is a method of electrophoresis of carbon nanotube for separating them into metallic carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes, and the method comprises a step of electrifying a carbon nanotube sealed gel in which carbon nanotubes are dispersed in a gel. According to the separation method, metallic CNT and semiconducting CNT may be efficiently and heavily separated and purified from each other in CNT containing both the two within a short period of time and in a simplified manner by the use of inexpensive facilities and according to a simple process, and the method can be readily scaled up, in which CNT can be separated industrially extremely advantageously.

Abstract: To provide a method for separating metallic CNT and semiconducting CNT by treating a CNT-containing gel or a CNT dispersion as combined with a gel, according to a physical separation means to thereby make semiconducting CNT exist in gel and metallic CNT exist in solution, in which the semiconducting CNT adsorbed by gel are collected in a more simplified manner not dissolving the gel. A CNT-containing gel or a CNT dispersion combined with a gel is treated according to a physical separation means of a centrifugal method, a freezing squeezing method, a diffusion method or a permeation method, to thereby make semiconducting CNT exist in gel and metallic CNT exist in solution so that the metallic CNT and the semiconducting CNT are separated from each other, and further, a suitable eluent is made to react on the gel that adsorbs semiconducting CNT to elute the semiconducting CNT from the gel.

Abstract: An industrially highly useful CNT separation method is provided whereby metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs can be efficiently separated and purified in large quantities in a short time period from CNTs containing these carbon nanotubes, using inexpensive equipment and in simple steps, and whereby metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs can be separated at low cost. The CNT separation method includes adding a CNT dispersion to a powder-charged separation vessel to selectively adsorb the semiconducting CNTs to the powder, and eluting the semiconducting CNTs adsorbed to the powder after collecting the metallic CNTs.

Abstract: Metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs are efficiently separated from a CNT mixture of these CNTs, and semiconducting CNTs are separated by structure by using a method that enables separation in high yield in a short time period while conveniently enabling mass processing and automatic processing with inexpensive equipment. Multiple columns charged with gel are connected in series, and excess amounts of a CNT dispersion is passed through the columns to adsorb only the CNTs of a specific structure on the columns. The CNTs are then eluted with an elution to separate CNTs of different structures with high accuracy. The present technique represents a method that conveniently enables mass processing and automatic processing at high yield in a short time period with inexpensive equipment.

Abstract: To provide a method for separating metallic CNT and semiconducting CNT by treating a CNT-containing gel or a CNT dispersion as combined with a gel, according to a physical separation means to thereby make semiconducting CNT exist in gel and metallic CNT exist in solution, in which the semiconducting CNT adsorbed by gel are collected in a more simplified manner not dissolving the gel. A CNT-containing gel or a CNT dispersion combined with a gel is treated according to a physical separation means of a centrifugal method, a freezing squeezing method, a diffusion method or a permeation method, to thereby make semiconducting CNT exist in gel and metallic CNT exist in solution so that the metallic CNT and the semiconducting CNT are separated from each other, and further, a suitable eluent is made to react on the gel that adsorbs semiconducting CNT to elute the semiconducting CNT from the gel.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for separating metallic CNT and semiconducting CNT, comprising treating with a physical separation means of centrifugation, freezing-thawing-squeezing, diffusion, permeation or the like using a gel containing CNT as a dispersed and isolated state (CNT-containing gel), to thereby make semiconducting CNT exist in gel and make metallic CNT exist in solution.

Abstract: Provided is a method of electrophoresis of carbon nanotube for separating them into metallic carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes, and the method comprises a step of electrifying a carbon nanotube sealed gel in which carbon nanotubes are dispersed in a gel. According to the separation method, metallic CNT and semiconducting CNT may be efficiently and heavily separated and purified from each other in CNT containing both the two within a short period of time and in a simplified manner by the use of inexpensive facilities and according to a simple process, and the method can be readily scaled up, in which CNT can be separated industrially extremely advantageously.

Abstract: In the present invention, a nonionic surfactant is noticed for a function of dispersing a carbon nanotube, and it is found that a mixture solution of an amide-based organic solvent and a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or of the amide-based organic solvent, the nonionic surfactant, and the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) has an excellent function as a dispersant for the carbon nanotube. Ultrasonication is required for dispersing a carbon nanotube in the dispersant. The ultrasonication may be carried out in the step of dispersing the carbon nanotube in the nonionic surfactant and/or the amide-based polar organic solvent, and then the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) may be mixed with the resultant dispersion. Alternatively, a mixture solution of the nonionic surfactant and/or the amide-based polar organic solvent, and the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is prepared, and then the ultrasonication may be carried out in the step of dispersing the carbon nanotube therein.

Abstract: A liquid is occluded in a predetermined carbon nanotube and then heated above a liquid-gas phase transition temperature to spout from the carbon nanotube.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube-dispersed polyimide saturable absorber excellent in an optical quality, obtainable by mixing a carbon nanotube dispersion liquid comprising a carbon nanotube, an amide-based polar organic solvent, and a nonionic surfactant and/or a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with a mixture solution of a solvent soluble polyimide and an organic solvent. A method for producing the same, comprising the steps of dispersing a single-walled carbon nanotube in a mixture solution of an amide-based polar organic solvent and a nonionic surfactant under intensive stirring, mixing the resultant dispersion liquid with a polyimide mixed organic solvent, and removing the solvent.

Abstract: In the present invention, a nonionic surfactant is noticed for a function of dispersing a carbon nanotube, and it is found that a mixture solution of an amide-based organic solvent and a polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) or of the amide-based organic solvent, the nonionic surfactant, and the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) has an excellent function as a dispersant for the carbon nanotube. Ultrasonication is required for dispersing a carbon nanotube in the dispersant. The ultrasonication maybe carried out in the step of dispersing the carbon nanotube in the nonionic surfactant and/or the amide-based polar organic solvent, and then the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) may be mixed with the resultant dispersion. Alternatively, a mixture solution of the nonionic surfactant and/or the amide-based polar organic solvent, and the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is prepared, and then the ultrasonication may be carried out in the step of dispersing the carbon nanotube therein.