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.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to forming a patterned array of fullerene nanotubes. In one embodiment, a nanoscale array of microwells is provided on a substrate; a metal catalyst is deposited in each microwells; and a stream of hydrocarbon or CO feedstock gas is directed at the substrate under conditions that effect growth of fullerene nanotubes from each microwell.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for making carbon nanotubes from a flowing gaseous carbon-containing feedstock, such as CO, at superatmospheric pressure and at temperatures between about 500° C. and about 2000° C. utilizing a reactor wherein the flowing carbon-containing feedstock sequentially passes multiple points of catalyst injection, where the catalyst is provided by the decomposition of one or more catalyst precursor species, such as Fe(CO)5. In one embodiment, a catalyst cluster nucleation agency is employed to facilitate metal catalyst cluster formation. The reactor permits broad control over the reaction conditions, and enables addition of controlled amounts of catalyst over the length of the conduit reactor. The invention provides higher catalyst productivity because more catalyst precursor is used to form small active catalyst clusters versus forming catalyst clusters that grow along the reactor into large clusters, which are inactive for carbon nanotube production.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method for producing composites of fullerene nanotubes and compositions thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention involves a method of producing a composite material that includes a matrix and a fullerene nanotube material embedded within said matrix. In another embodiment, a method of producing a composite material containing fullerene nanotube material is disclosed. This method includes the steps of preparing an assembly of a fibrous material; adding the fullerene nanotube material to the fibrous material; and adding a matrix material precursor to the fullerene nanotube material and the fibrous material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards methods (processes) of providing large quantities of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of defined diameter and chirality (i.e., precise populations). In such processes, CNT seeds of a pre-selected diameter and chirality are grown to many (e.g., hundreds) times their original length. This is optionally followed by cycling some of the newly grown material back as seed material for regrowth. Thus, the present invention provides for the large-scale production of precise populations of CNTs, the precise composition of such populations capable of being optimized for a particular application (e.g., hydrogen storage). The present invention is also directed to complexes of CNTs and transition metal catalyst precurors, such complexes typically being formed en route to forming CNT seeds.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the creation of macroscopic materials and objects comprising aligned nanotube segments. The invention entails aligning single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) segments that are suspended in a fluid medium and then removing the aligned segments from suspension in a way that macroscopic, ordered assemblies of SWNT are formed. The invention is further directed to controlling the natural proclivity or nanotube segments to self assemble into or ordered structures by modifying the environment of the nanotubes and the history of that environment prior to and during the process. The materials and objects are “macroscopic” in that they are large enough to be seen without the aid of a microscope or of the dimensions of such objects.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method for producing self-assembled objects comprising fullerene nanotubes and compositions thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention involves a three-dimensional structure of derivatized fullerene nanotubes that spontaneously form. It includes several components having multiple derivatives brought together to assemble into the three-dimensional structure. In another embodiment, objects may be obtained by bonding functionally-specific agents (FSAs) to groups of nanotubes, enabling them to form into structures. The bond selectivity of FSAs allow selected nanotubes of a particular size or kind to assemble together and inhibit the assembling of unselected nanotubes that may also be present.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method for producing composites of fullerene nanotubes and compositions thereof. In one embodiment, the present invention involves a method of producing a composite material that includes a matrix and a fullerene nanotube material embedded within said matrix. In another embodiment, a method of producing a composite material containing fullerene nanotube material is disclosed. This method includes the steps of preparing an assembly of a fibrous material; adding the fullerene nanotube material to the fibrous material; and adding a matrix material precursor to the fullerene nanotube material and the fibrous material.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a fullerene nanotube composition. The fullerene nanotubes may be in the form of a felt, such as a bucky paper. Optionally, the fullerene nanotubes may be derivatized with one or more functional groups. Devices employing the fullerene nanotubes of this invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method for producing fullerene nanotube catalyst supports and compositions thereof. In one embodiment, fullerene nanotubes or fullerene nanotube structures can be employed as the support material. A transition metal catalyst is added to the fullerene nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst metal cluster is deposited on the open nanotube end by a docking process that insures optimum location for the subsequent growth reaction. The metal atoms may be subjected to reductive conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a method for producing fullerene nanotube catalyst supports and compositions thereof. In one embodiment, fullerene nanotubes or fullerene nanotube structures can be employed as the support material. A transition metal catalyst is added to the fullerene nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst metal cluster is deposited on the open nanotube end by a docking process that insures optimum location for the subsequent growth reaction. The metal atoms may be subjected to reductive conditions.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a fullerene nanotube composition. The fullerene nanotubes may be in the form of a felt, such as a bucky paper. Optionally, the fullerene nanotubes may be derivatized with one or more functional groups. Devices employing the fullerene nanotubes of this invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to dispersing and fractionating single-wall carbon nanotubes, which can be derivatized to facilitate fractionation, for example, by adding solubilizing moieties to the nanotubes.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a fullerene nanotube purification process and more particularly to a purification process that comprises heating the fullerene nanotube-containing felt under oxidizing conditions to remove the amorphous carbon deposits and other contaminating materials. In a preferred mode of this purification procedure, the felt is heated in an aqueous solution of an inorganic oxidant, such as nitric acid, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and sulfuric acid, or a potassium permanganate. Preferably, fullerene nanotube-containing felts are refluxed in an aqueous solution of an oxidizing acid at a concentration high enough to etch away amorphous carbon deposits within a practical time frame, but not so high that the fullerene nanotube material will be etched to a significant degree. When material having a high proportion of fullerene nanotubes is purified, the preparation produced will be enriched in fullerene nanotubes, so that the fullerene nanotubes are substantially free of other material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward methods of selectively functionalizing carbon nanotubes of a specific type or range of types, based on their electronic properties, using diazonium chemistry. The present invention is also directed toward methods of separating carbon nanotubes into populations of specific types or range(s) of types via selective functionalization and electrophoresis, and also to the novel compositions generated by such separations.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to a fullerene nanotube purification process and more particularly to a purification process that comprises heating the fullerene nanotube-containing felt under oxidizing conditions to remove the amorphous carbon deposits and other contaminating materials. In a preferred mode of this purification procedure, the felt is heated in an aqueous solution of an inorganic oxidant, such as nitric acid, a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and sulfuric acid, or a potassium permanganate. Preferably, fullerene nanotube-containing felts are refluxed in an aqueous solution of an oxidizing acid at a concentration high enough to etch away amorphous carbon deposits within a practical time frame, but not so high that the fullerene nanotube material will be etched to a significant degree. When material having a high proportion of fullerene nanotubes is purified, the preparation produced will be enriched in fullerene nanotubes, so that the fullerene nanotubes are substantially free of other material.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of making single-wall carbon nanotubes by laser vaporizing a mixture of carbon and one or more Group VIII transition metals. Single-wall carbon nanotubes preferentially form in the vapor and the one or more Group VIII transition metals catalyzed growth of the single-wall carbon nanotubes. In one embodiment of the invention, one or more single-wall carbon nanotubes are fixed in a high temperature zone so that the one or more Group VIII transition metals catalyze further growth of the single-wall carbon nanotube that is maintained in the high temperature zone. In another embodiment, two separate laser pulses are utilized with the second pulse timed to be absorbed by the vapor created by the first pulse.

Abstract: The present invention involves alewives of highly aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNT), process for making the same and compositions thereof. The present invention provides a method for effectively making carbon alewives, which are discrete, acicular-shaped aggregates of aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes and resemble the Atlantic fish of the same name. Single-wall carbon nanotube alewives can be conveniently dispersed in materials such as polymers, ceramics, metals, metal oxides and liquids. The process for preparing the alewives comprises mixing single-wall carbon nanotubes with 100% sulfuric acid or a superacid, heating and stirring, and slowly introducing water into the single-wall carbon nanotube/acid mixture to form the alewives. The alewives can be recovered, washed and dried. The properties of the single-wall carbon nanotubes are retained in the alewives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new compositions of matter and articles of manufacture comprising SWNTs as nanometer scale conducting rods dispersed in an electrically-insulating matrix. These compositions of matter have novel and useful electrical, mechanical, and chemical properties including applications in antennas, electromagnetic and electro-optic devices, and high-toughness materials. Other compositions of matter and articles of manufacture are disclosed. including polymer-coated and polymer wrapped single-wall nanotubes (SWNTs), small ropes of polymer-coated and polymer-wrapped SWNTs and materials comprising same. This composition provides one embodiment of the SWNT conducting-rod composite mentioned above, and also enables creation of high-concentration suspensions of SWNTs and compatibilization of SWNTs with polymeric matrices in composite materials.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to the block copolymerization of rigid rod polymers with carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the CNTs generally being shortened, to form nanotube block copolymers. The present invention is also directed to fibers and other shaped articles made from the nanotube block copolymers of the present invention.