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: 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: An object of the present invention is to provide a nanotube-nanohorn complex having a high aspect ratio, also having high dispersibility, having controlled diameter, and having high durability at a low cost. According to the present invention, a carbon target containing a catalyst is evaporated with a laser ablation method to synthesize a structure including both of a carbon nanohorn aggregate and a carbon nanotube.

Abstract: A substance-encapsulating carbon nanohorn aggregate which has improved chemical stability by isolating the encapsulated substance from outside and which is useful as a targeting material which can be led from the outside of the body or as a contrast medium by holding the encapsulated substance in an aggregated form, and a process for producing the same are provided. The substance-encapsulating carbon nanohorn aggregate is characterized in that the encapsulated substance is aggregated in a central part of the carbon nanohorn aggregate or a neighborhood thereof with being isolated from outside. The process includes aggregating a substance to be encapsulated in a central part or a neighborhood thereof by a heat treatment.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing carbon nanohorns includes a production chamber configured to irradiate a solid carbon material with a laser beam to produce a product containing carbon nanohorns; and a separation mechanism configured to separate the product produced in the production chamber into a lightweight component and a heavyweight component. The heavyweight component includes carbon nanohorn aggregate with high purity, and high-purity carbon nanotubes can be obtained by collecting the heavyweight component.

Abstract: A carbon nanohorn carried material for producing a carbon nanotube by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, including a catalytic metal or a compound thereof contained inside carbon nanohorns or supported on exterior walls of the carbon nanohorns is provided. A carbon nanotube is produced by a CVD reaction using the carbon nanohorn carried material. A novel technical means for producing a carbon nanotube which does not use any noncarbon type carrier, can easily collect and purify the carbon nanotube and can control the length of the carbon nanotube can be provided.

Abstract: A carbon nanohorn carried material for producing a carbon nanotube by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method, including a catalytic metal or a compound thereof contained inside carbon nanohorns or supported on exterior walls of the carbon nanohorns is provided. A carbon nanotube is produced by a CVD reaction using the carbon nanohorn carried material. A novel technical means for producing a carbon nanotube which does not use any noncarbon type carrier, can easily collect and purify the carbon nanotube and can control the length of the carbon nanotube can be provided.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a nanotube-nanohorn complex having a high aspect ratio, also having high dispersibility, having controlled diameter, and having high durability at a low cost. According to the present invention, a carbon target containing a catalyst is evaporated with a laser ablation method to synthesize a structure including both of a carbon nanohorn aggregate and a carbon nanotube.

Abstract: A nanocarbon aggregate including a graphite aggregate including a graphene sheet having a petal shape and a nanohorn. The petal-shaped graphite aggregate achieves a reduction in the particulate size and a higher dispersibility by allowing the edge of the petal shape to locally absorb a metal, a metal complex and a metal oxide. The nanocarbon aggregate is used for a catalyst support.

Abstract: A contrast agent characterized in that each of carbon nanohorns forming a carbon nanohorn aggregate has an opening at the side wall or tip, wherein a metal M (at least one metal selected from among paramagnetic metals, ferromagnetic metals, and superparamagnetic metals) or a compound of the metal M is incorporated in or dispersed on each of the carbon nanohorns. A contrast agent characterized in that it contains a Gd oxide. There is provided a contrast agent, which can be mass-produced easily, and satisfies the requirement of low toxicity and enables microscopic diagnoses when used for MRI. A contrast agent characterized in that is contains a carbon nanohorn aggregate.

Abstract: There is provided a fluorine storage material comprising a novel fluorinated carbon nanohorn, which stores a large amount of fluorine per its unit mass, withstand repeated use for fluorine storage, and enables a high purity fluorine gas to be taken out by a safe and efficient method, and also there is provided a method of taking out a fluorine gas by applying heat to the fluorine storage material or placing the fluorine storage material in a pressure-reduced atmosphere.

Abstract: A carbon nanohorn (CNH) is oxidized to make an opening in the side of the CNH. A substance to be included, e.g., a metal, is introduced through the opening. The inclusion substance is moved to a tip part of the carbon nanohorn through heat treatment in vacuum or an inert gas. The CNH is further heat treated in an atmosphere containing oxygen in a low concentration to remove the carbon layer in the tip through catalysis of the inclusion substance. This exposes the inclusion substance. If the inclusion substance is a metal which is not moved to a tip part by the heat treatment in vacuum or an inert gas, the carbon part surrounding the fine catalyst particle is specifically burned by a heat treatment in an low oxygen concentration atmosphere, while utilizing the catalysis. Thus, the fine catalyst particle is fixed to the tip part of the CNH.

Abstract: The present invention provides: a carbon nanohorn composite including a carbon nanohorn, a substance encapsulated in the carbon nanohorn, and a polyamine adsorbed by chemical reaction firmly to a surface functional group present on the opening part on the surface of the carbon nanohorn, wherein the release amount and release rate of the encapsulated substance can be controlled using the difference in size, substituent or three-dimensional structure of the polyamine, which is used as a plug; a method of controlling the release of the encapsulated substance; and a process for producing the carbon nanohorn composite. The release amount and release rate of the substance encapsulated in the carbon nanohorn composite is controlled by selecting a polyamine molecule, which plugs the opening part formed in the carbon nanohorn by oxidation, by its size, substituent or three-dimensional structure.

Abstract: A single walled carbon nanohorn adsorptive material which comprises a single walled carbon nanohorn and a lanthanide metal deposited thereon and has methane absorptivity is produced, whereby a single walled carbon nanohorn adsorptive material which can adsorb much methane and is effective as a methane adsorbing material is provided.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a nanotube-nanohorn complex having an aspect ratio higher than that of a conventional one, also having high dispersibility, and being capable of growing carbon nanotubes with controlled diameter. A nanotube-nanohorn complex according to the present invention comprises carbon nanohorn and catalyst fine particles supported within the carbon nanohorn. The carbon nanohorn comprise an aperture formed therein. Each of the catalyst fine particles is fitted and fixed in the aperture in a state in which part of the catalyst fine particle is exposed to the exterior of the carbon nanohorn. Carbon nanotubes are grown from the catalyst fine particles.

Abstract: A method for selectively obtaining carbon nanotubes having specific structures by selectively obtaining carbon nanotubes having structures different from the structures of the carbon nanotubes to be vanished by irradiating carbon nanotubes with a light beam of single wavelength so as to have carbon nanotubes in specific electron states in the excited states, and oxidizing and combusting the carbon nanotubes in the excited states by an oxygen or an oxidizing agent so as to vanish the same.

Abstract: A substance-encapsulating carbon nanohorn aggregate which has improved chemical stability by isolating the encapsulated substance from outside and which is useful as a targeting material which can be led from the outside of the body or as a contrast medium by holding the encapsulated substance in an aggregated form, and a process for producing the same are provided. The substance-encapsulating carbon nanohorn aggregate is characterized in that the encapsulated substance is aggregated in a central part of the carbon nanohorn aggregate or a neighborhood thereof with being isolated from outside. The process includes aggregating a substance to be encapsulated in a central part or a neighborhood thereof by a heat treatment.

Abstract: A nanocarbon aggregate including a graphite aggregate including a graphene sheet having a petal shape and a nanohorn. The petal-shaped graphite aggregate achieves a reduction in the particulate size and a higher dispersibility by allowing the edge of the petal shape to locally absorb a metal, a metal complex and a metal oxide. The nanocarbon aggregate is used for a catalyst support.

Abstract: Provided are a method of forming pores in a graphitic carbon nanomaterial and a method of introducing an oxygen-containing group into the pores, in which the rate of pore formation in the wall of a graphitic carbon nanomaterial can be heightened and the amount of the oxygen-containing group, especially the carboxyl group to be introduced can be significantly increased. The method of forming pores in a graphitic carbon nanomaterial of the invention is characterized by forming pores in the wall of a graphitic carbon nanomaterial in the presence of an oxidizing agent while the nanomaterial is irradiated with a light from a light source including a light having a wavelength at which the oxidizing agent is activated.