Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods of purifying carbon nanotubes (CNTs). In general, such methods comprise the following steps: (a) preparing an aqueous slurry of impure CNT material; (b) establishing a source of Fe2+ ions in the slurry to provide a catalytic slurry; (c) adding hydrogen peroxide to the catalytic slurry to provide an oxidative slurry, wherein the Fe2+ ions catalyze the production of hydroxyl radicals; and (d) utilizing the hydroxyl radicals in the oxidative slurry to purify the CNT material and provide purified CNTs.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to fibers of epitaxially grown single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and methods of making same. Such methods generally comprise the steps of: (a) providing a spun SWNT fiber; (b) cutting the fiber substantially perpendicular to the fiber axis to yield a cut fiber; (c) etching the cut fiber at its end with a plasma to yield an etched cut fiber; (d) depositing metal catalyst on the etched cut fiber end to form a continuous SWNT fiber precursor; and (e) introducing feedstock gases under SWNT growth conditions to grow the continuous SWNT fiber precursor into a continuous SWNT fiber.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to new liquid-liquid extraction methods for the length-based separation of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and other 1-dimensional nanostructures.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods of ozonating CNTs in fluorinated solvents (fluoro-solvents), wherein such methods provide a less dangerous alternative to existing ozonolysis methods. In some embodiments, such methods comprise the steps of: (a) dispersing carbon nanotubes in a fluoro-solvent to form a dispersion; and (b) reacting ozone with the carbon nanotubes in the dispersion to functionalize the sidewalls of the carbon nanotubes and yield functionalized carbon nanotubes with oxygen-containing functional moieties. In some such embodiments, the fluoro-solvent is a fluorocarbon solvent, such as a perfluorinated polyether.