Abstract: Methods, processes, and apparatuses for the continuous synthesis of carbon nanostructures are provided. Metal catalysts having small diameter and narrow distribution of particle sizes are prepared and continuously injected as aerosols into a reactor. The metal catalysts are supported on supports that are substantially free of carbon. The metal catalyst, in the form of a powder, is placed on a fluidized bed and aerosolized using an inert gas. The powder entrailed in the gas is injected near the top of a vertical reactor for the synthesis of SWNTs.

Abstract: A substrate for growing carbon nanotubes capable of elongating single-walled carbon nanotubes of an average diameter of less than 2 nm is provided. The substrate for growing carbon nanotubes 1 is equipped with a reaction prevention layer 3 formed on a base material 2, a catalyst material layer 4 formed on the reaction prevention layer 3, a dispersion layer 5 formed on the catalyst material layer 4, and a dispersion promotion layer 6 formed on the dispersion layer 5.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method capable of accelerating the growth of oriented carbon nanotubes when manufacturing the oriented carbon nanotubes by a plasma CVD. Under the circulation of a gas which is the raw material of the carbon nanotubes, plasma is generated by an antenna (6) provided in a depressurized treatment chamber (2), and substrates (9, 15) provided with a reaction prevention layer and a catalyst material layer which are formed on a base material are held at a distance, to which a radical can reach and an attack of an ion generated as a by-product of the radical can be avoided, from a plasma generation area (7). The tip (6a) of the antenna (6) can be controlled so as to match with the position of the anti-node of a stationary wave (27) of microwaves.

Abstract: Methods and processes for synthesizing single-wall carbon nanotubes are provided. A carbon precursor gas is contacted with metal catalysts deposited on a support material. The metal catalysts are preferably nanoparticles having diameters less than about 3 nm. The reaction temperature is selected such that it is near the eutectic point of the mixture of metal catalyst particles and carbon. Further, the rate at which hydrocarbons are fed into the reactor is equivalent to the rate at which the hydrocarbons react for given synthesis temperature. The methods produce carbon single-walled nanotubes having longer lengths.

Abstract: Metal nanoparticles containing two or more metals are formed by heating or refluxing a mixture of two or more metal salts, such as a metal acetates, and a passivating solvent, such as a glycol ether, at a temperature above the melting point of the metal salts for an effective amount of time.

Abstract: Metal nanoparticles are formed by heating or refluxing a mixture of a metal salt, such as a metal acetate, and a passivating solvent, such as a glycol ether, at a temperature above the melting point of the metal salt for an effective amount of time.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the preparation of single-walled carbon nanotubes using chemical vapor deposition processes. In some aspects, single-walled carbon nanotubes having narrow distribution of diameters are formed by contacting a carbon precursor gas with a catalyst on a support, wherein the catalyst has an average diameter of less than about 2 nm.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward methods for preparing activated capacitor materials by exposing capacitor material to an electrical potential of sufficient voltage and for a sufficient time to activate the capacitor materials. Compositions of capacitor materials containing carbon nanotubes and other carbon-containing materials are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and processes for synthesizing single-wall carbon nanotubes are provided. A carbon precursor gas is contacted with metal catalysts deposited on a support material. The metal catalysts are preferably nanoparticles having diameters less than about 3 nm. The reaction temperature is selected such that it is near the eutectic point of the mixture of metal catalyst particles and carbon. Further, the rate at which hydrocarbons are fed into the reactor is equivalent to the rate of formation of carbon SWNTs for given synthesis temperature. The methods produce carbon single-walled nanotubes having longer lengths.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the preparation of single-walled carbon nanotubes using chemical vapor deposition processes. In some aspects, single-walled carbon nanotubes having narrow distribution of diameters are formed by contacting a carbon precursor gas with a catalyst on a support, wherein the catalyst has an average diameter of less than about 2 nm.

Abstract: A method for treating carbon nanotubes with microwave energy to selective remove metallic-type carbon nanotubes is provided. A sample containing carbon nanotubes is positioned in a microwave cavity at a location corresponding to a maximum in the electric field component of a stationary wave having a microwave frequency. The sample is exposed to the microwave energy for a sufficient period of time to increase the proportion of semiconducting-type carbon nanotubes within the sample. Alternatively, a sample consisting essentially of metallic-type and semiconducting-type carbon nanotubes is exposed to microwave energy for a sufficient period of time to increase the proportion of semiconducting-type carbon nanotubes within the sample.

Abstract: Methods and processes for determining the particle size distribution of metal catalysts are provides. Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometer is used to evaluate the magnetic catalyst particle sizes dispersed in the support material. Dependence on variation of the metal/support material ratio, which defines the metal particle sizes, the catalyst can show paramagnetic, superparamagnetic, and ferromagnetic behaviors.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed towards supercapacitors including an electrode composed of a functionalized carbon nanotube-containing material, and also an organic electrolyte solution. The organic electrolyte solution can contain a non-aqueous solvent and an ionic salt, examples of non-aqueous solvent include propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, sulfolane and acetonitrile. The functional groups present on the carbon nanotubes can include hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, alkoxyl groups and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Methods and processes for preparing supported metal catalysts are provided, where the supported metal catalysts can be used for the bulk synthesis of carbon nanotubes. The salts of the metal and the support are selected such that they are soluble in the same solvent. The catalyst can be prepared from the liquid phase through joint precipitation of the metal and the support material. The methods can be used to increase the metal load on the support. Use of the catalysts increases the yield of the carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward compositions of supercapacitor electrode materials containing a functionalized carbon nanotube-containing material substantially free of binder material and methods for preparing the functionalized carbon nanotube-containing material.

Abstract: The present teachings are directed toward compositions of supercapacitor electrode materials containing a functionalized carbon nanotube-containing material substantially free of binder material and methods for preparing the functionalized carbon nanotube-containing material.

Abstract: Methods and processes for synthesizing single-wall carbon nanotubes are provided. A carbon precursor gas is contacted with metal catalysts deposited on a support material. The metal catalysts are preferably nanoparticles having diameters less than about 3 nm. The reaction temperature is selected such that it is near the eutectic point of the mixture of metal catalyst particles and carbon. Further, the rate at which hydrocarbons are fed into the reactor is equivalent to the rate at which the hydrocarbons react for given synthesis temperature. The methods produce carbon single-walled nanotubes having longer lengths.

Abstract: Metal nanoparticles containing two or more metals are formed by heating or refluxing a mixture of two or more metal salts, such as a metal acetates, and a passivating solvent, such as a glycol ether, at a temperature above the melting point of the metal salts for an effective amount of time.

Abstract: Methods, processes, and apparatuses for the continuous synthesis of carbon nanostructures are provided. Metal catalysts having small diameter and narrow distribution of particle sizes are prepared and continuously injected as aerosols into a reactor. The metal catalysts are supported on supports that are substantially free of carbon. The metal catalyst, in the form of a powder, is placed on a fluidized bed and aerosolized using an inert gas. The powder entrailed in the gas is injected near the top of a vertical reactor for the synthesis of SWNTs.

Abstract: Metal nanoparticles are formed by heating or refluxing a mixture of a metal salt, such as a metal acetate, and a passivating solvent, such as a glycol ether, at a temperature above the melting point of the metal salt for an effective amount of time.