Abstract: The present invention relates to the formation and processing of nanostructures including nanotubes. Some embodiments provide processes for nanostructure growth using relatively mild conditions (e.g., low temperatures). In some cases, methods of the invention may improve the efficiency (e.g., catalyst efficiency) of nanostructure formation and may reduce the production of undesired byproducts during nanostructure formation, including volatile organic compounds and/or polycylic aromatic hydrocarbons. Such methods can both reduce the costs associated with nanostructure formation, as well as reduce the harmful effects of nanostructure fabrication on environmental and public health and safety.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an ultrafine graphitic carbon fiber and a preparation method thereof. An ultrafine fiber having a diameter of 1 to 3000 nm is prepared by electrospinning a halogenated polymer solution containing a metal compound inducing graphitization. In carbonization, an ultrafine porous graphitic carbon fiber having a large specific surface area, micropores and macropores is prepared by the graphitization by a metal catalyst generated from the metal compound. The ultrafine carbon fiber can be used as a carbon material for storing hydrogen, an adsorbing material of biochemically noxious substances, an electrode material of a supercapacitor, a secondary cell and a fuel cell, and a catalyst carrier material.

Abstract: A method for treating carbon nanotubes is provided. In the method for treating carbon nanotubes (CNTs), the CNTs are treated with SO3 gas at an elevated temperature, for example, at a temperature in the range of 385° C. to 475° C.

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: Disclosed is a production system (1) for a carbon fiber thread (Z) by continuously subjecting a carbon fiber thread precursor (X) having a jointed portion (a) connecting respective ends of two carbon fiber thread precursors (X) to heat treatment, which contains an oxidization oven (10) for subjecting the carbon fiber thread precursor (X) to an oxidization treatment, a carbonization furnace (12) for subjecting a thus obtained oxidized fiber thread to a carbonization treatment, a winder (18) for winding the carbon fiber thread (Z) around a winding bobbin, a detection means (24) for detecting the jointed portion (a), a positional information-acquisition means (26) for acquiring positional information of the jointed portion (a), a control means (28) for controlling the winder (18) in such a way that a carbon fiber thread including the jointed portion (a) and a carbon fiber thread not including the jointed portion (a) are separately wound up around different winding bobbins based on the positional information.

Abstract: A method of realizing selective separation of metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes from bundled carbon nanotubes; and obtaining of metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes separated at high purity through the above method. Metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes are dispersed one by one from bundled carbon nanotubes not only by the use of a difference in interaction with amine between metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes due to a difference in electrical properties between metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes and semiconducting carbon nanotubes but also by the use of the fact that an amine is an important factor in SWNTs separation. The thus dispersed carbon nanotubes are subjected to centrifugation, thereby attaining separation from non-dispersed semiconducting carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Separation of carbon nanotubes or fullerenes according to diameter through non-covalent pi-pi interaction with molecular clips is provided. Molecular clips are prepared by Diels-Alder reaction of polyacenes with a variety of dienophiles. The pi-pi complexes of carbon nanotubes with molecular clips are also used for selective placement of carbon nanotubes and fullerenes on substrates.

Abstract: The present invention in one aspect relates to a method for producing carbon nanotubes. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of forming a substrate, depositing a loading amount of catalyst including iron and cobalt nanoparticles on the surfaces of the substrate, and heating the catalyst deposited on the substrate in a radio frequency reactor having a flow of a methane carbon source at a predetermined temperature so as to cause the growth of carbon nanotubes on the substrate.

Abstract: A method includes a providing a molten glass fiber core and disposing a plurality of nanoparticles that include a transition metal oxide on the molten glass fiber core at or above the softening temperature of the glass fiber core, thereby forming a nanoparticle-laden glass fiber. The plurality of nanoparticles are embedded at the surface of said glass fiber core. A method includes providing a mixture of molten glass and a plurality of nanoparticles. The plurality of nanoparticles include a transition metal. The method further includes forming nanoparticle-laden glass fibers, in which the plurality of nanoparticles are embedded throughout the glass fibers.

Abstract: Method for preparing carbon nanotubes or nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes by pyrolysis, in a reaction chamber, of a liquid containing at least one liquid hydrocarbon precursor of carbon or at least one liquid compound precursor of carbon and nitrogen consisting of carbon atoms, nitrogen atoms and optionally hydrogen atoms and/or atoms of other chemical elements such as oxygen, and optionally at least one metal compound precursor of a catalyst metal, in which said liquid is formed under pressure into finely divided liquid particles such as droplets by a specific injection system, preferably a periodic injection system, and the finely divided particles, such as droplets, formed in this way are conveyed by a carrier gas stream and introduced into the reaction chamber, where the deposition and growth of the carbon nanotubes or nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes take place.

Abstract: A multi-wall carbon nanotube field emitter and method of producing the same is disclosed. The multi-wall carbon nanotube field emitter comprises a nanotube having a diameter between approximately 1 nanometer and approximately 100 nanometers with an integrally attached outer layer of graphitic material that is approximately 1 micrometer to approximately 10 micrometers in diameter attached to an etched tip of a wire. The tip of the wire is etched to form a tip and a slot is fabricated in the tip for alignment and attachment of the carbon nanotube. A focus ion beam is used to weld the nanotube to the tungsten tip for electron field emission applications.

Abstract: Separation of carbon nanotubes or fullerenes according to diameter through non-covalent pi-pi interaction with molecular clips is provided. Molecular clips are prepared by Diels-Alder reaction of polyacenes with a variety of dienophiles. The pi-pi complexes of carbon nanotrubes with molecular clips are also used for selective placement of carbon nanotubes and fullerenes on substrates.

Abstract: A method for producing a nanodiamond (n-diamond, p-diamond, i-carbon) in which a nanodiamond is removed from an activated carbon containing the nanodiamond. The activated carbon is prepared by carbonizing and/or activating a carbonaceous feedstock while restricting the presence of oxygen sufficiently to result in the formation of nanodiamonds embedded in carbon. The nanodiamonds can be separated and purified from the activated carbon, and can be concentrated by treatment of the activated carbon with an oxidizing agent. Also provided is a method for producing a nanodiamond, and particularly a nanodiamond fiber, by mixing a carbon source, a metal and an acid under conditions which result in nanodiamond formation. Nanodiamond fibers up to 2000 nanometers or more can be produced. The nanodiamond fibers can be woven or used to provide structural reinforcement for various materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for making a twisted carbon nanotube wire. Two opposite ends of the at least one carbon nanotube film is clamped by two clamps. The two clamps is pulled along two reversed directions to stretch the at least one carbon nanotube film. The at least one carbon nanotube film is twisted by rotating the two clamps while the at least one carbon nanotube film is in a straightening state.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for producing carbon nanocoils, which comprises: providing a metal substrate; depositing a tin precursor on the substrate; heating the substrate with the precursor to a predetermined temperature to form a catalyst on the substrate; placing the substrate in a quartz tube furnace; and introducing carbon source gas and protective gas into the quartz tube furnace to allow carbon nanocoils to grow on the surface of the catalyst. Another method for producing carbon nanocoils is also disclosed, which includes: depositing a mixed solution of iron acetate and tin acetate on a substrate; heating the substrate with the mixing solution to a predetermined temperature to form a catalyst on the substrate; placing the substrate in a quartz tube furnace; and introducing carbon source gas and protective gas into the quartz tube furnace to allow carbon nanocoils to grow on the surface of the catalyst.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to the separation of carbon nanotubes by reversible gelation.

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: Processes are provided for removing metal-based catalyst residues from carbon nanotubes by contacting the carbon nanotubes with an active metal agent and carbon monoxide.

Abstract: Separation of carbon nanotubes or fullerenes according to diameter through non-covalent pi-pi interaction with molecular clips is provided. Molecular clips are prepared by Diels-Alder reaction of polyacenes with a variety of dienophiles. The pi-pi complexes of carbon nanotubes with molecular clips are also used for selective placement of carbon nanotubes and fullerenes on substrates.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the preparation of reinforcements for composite materials, whereby single- and/or multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) may be electrophoretically deposited on fibrous substrates for the production of hybrid CNT/fibers. The fibers may include carbon fibers and woven carbon fabrics. The length, as well as the density and orientation of the deposited nanotubes on the fiber surfaces may also be tailored. The strength of the CNT/fiber-matrix interface formed in composites fabricated from the hybrid CNT/fibers may be adjusted by introduction of functional groups on the CNT/fiber surfaces, such as aminophenyl and carboxyphenyl groups.

Abstract: Disclosed is an experimental setup for synthesis of carbon nanotubes by floating catalyst method which comprises of a feeding and a reactor system. FIG. 1, illustrates CNT growth apparatus set up 100. The feeding system includes a syringe pump 115 for injecting of feed solution, liquid spraying, and or solid sublimation. The reactor system has a centrally located tubular quartz furnace 105, having a diameter of about 21.7 mm and divided into two zones.

Abstract: Methods of preparing single walled carbon nanotubes are provided. An arrangement comprising one or more layers of fullerene in contact with one side of a metal layer and a solid carbon source in contact with the other side of metal layer is prepared. The fullerene/metal layer/solid carbon source arrangement is then heated to a temperature below where the fullerenes sublime. Alternatively, a non-solid carbon source may be used in place of a solid carbon source or the metal layer may simply be saturated with carbon atoms. A multiplicity of single walled carbon nanotubes are grown on the fullerene side of the metal layer, wherein at least 80% of the single walled carbon nanotubes in said multiplicity have a diameter within ±5% of a single walled carbon nanotube diameter D present in said multiplicity, said diameter D being in the range between 0.6-2.2 nm.

Abstract: There are provided a carbon wire using CNT or a similar carbon filament having a sufficiently low electrical resistance value, and a wire assembly employing that carbon wire. A carbon wire includes an assembly portion and a graphite layer. The assembly portion is configured of a plurality of carbon filaments implemented as carbon nanotubes in contact with one another. The graphite layer is provided at an outer circumference of the assembly portion.

Abstract: Methods by which the growth of a nanostructure may be precisely controlled by an electrical current are described here. In one embodiment, an interior nanostructure is grown to a predetermined geometry inside another nanostructure, which serves as a reaction chamber. The growth is effected by a catalytic agent loaded with feedstock for the interior nanostructure. Another embodiment allows a preexisting marginal quality nanostructure to be zone refined into a higher-quality nanostructure by driving a catalytic agent down a controlled length of the nanostructure with an electric current. In both embodiments, the speed of nanostructure formation is adjustable, and the growth may be stopped and restarted at will. The catalytic agent may be doped or undoped to produce semiconductor effects, and the bead may be removed via acid etching.

Abstract: A biphasic nanoporous vitreous carbon material with a cementitious morphology characterized by presence of non-round porosity, having superior hardness and tribological properties, as useful for high wear-force applications. The biphasic nanoporous vitreous carbon material is produced by firing, under inert atmosphere, of particulate vitrified carbon in a composition containing (i) a precursor resin that is curable and pyrolyzable to form vitreous carbon and, optionally, (ii) addition of one or more of the following: solid lubricant, such as graphite, boron nitride, or molybdenum disulfide; a heat-resistant fiber reinforcement, such as copper, bronze, iron alloy, graphite, alumina, silica, or silicon carbide; or one or more substances to improve electrical conductivity, such as dendritic copper powder, copper “felt” or graphite flake, to produce a superior vitreous carbon that is useful alone or as a continuous phase in reinforced composites, in relation to conventional glassy carbon materials.

Abstract: The disclosed is a redispersible agglomerate of fine carbon fibers, which is obtained by adding the fine carbon fibers and a dispersing agent which shows solid state at least at ordinary temperature (20±10° C.) into an aqueous dispersion medium, and then removing the dispersion medium from a dispersion system where the carbon fibers are isolated individually and dispersed in the dispersion medium; and in which the carbon fibers are got together and solidified in the agglomerate while each carbon fiber maintains its isolated dispersibility; wherein the carbon content is in the range of 0.01-99.5% by weight, the dispersing agent content is in the range of 0.1-99.5% by weight, and the moisture content is in the range of less than.

Abstract: Carbon nanostructures are formed from a carbon precursor and catalytic templating nanoparticles and are treated with a severe oxidative agent to introduce oxygen-containing functional groups to the surface of the graphitic material. Methods for manufacturing carbon nanostructures generally include (1) forming a precursor mixture that includes a carbon precursor and a plurality of catalytic templating particles, (2) carbonizing the precursor mixture to form an intermediate carbon material including carbon nanostructures, amorphous carbon, and catalytic metal, (3) purifying the intermediate carbon material by removing at least a portion of the amorphous carbon and optionally at least a portion of the catalytic metal, and (4) treating the intermediate carbon material with a severe oxidative treatment to increase surface functionalization.

Abstract: Method of joining carbon-carbon composite pieces together, e.g. in the refurbishment of aircraft brake discs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of solubilizing carbon nanotubes, to carbon nanotubes produced thereby and to uses of said carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: Facile ways towards the integration of the regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene)s onto carbon nanotubes, providing multifunctional materials that combine the extraordinary properties of the carbon nanotubes with those of regioregular poly(3-alkylthiophene)s, are presented.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a conductive tape. The conductive tape includes a base, an adhesive layer, and a carbon nanotube layer. The adhesive layer is configured for being sandwiched between the base and the carbon nanotube layer. And a method for making the conductive tape includes the steps of: fabricating at least one carbon nanotube film and an adhesive agent; coating the adhesive agent on a base and drying the adhesive agent on the base so as to form an adhesive layer; and forming a carbon nanotube layer on the adhesive layer and compressing the carbon nanotube layer so as to sandwich the adhesive layer between the carbon nanotube layer and the base.

Abstract: Graphitic nanotubes, which includes tubular fullerenes (commonly called “buckytubes”) and fibrils, which are functionalized by chemical substitution or by adsorption of functional moieties. More specifically the invention relates to graphitic nanotubes which are uniformly or non-uniformly substituted with chemical moieties or upon which certain cyclic compounds are adsorbed and to complex structures comprised of such functionalized fibrils linked to one another. The invention also relates to methods of introducing functional groups onto the surface of such fibrils.

Abstract: The present application provides multistage and multilayer reactors useful for the efficient and continuous production of carbon nanotubes and methods of using the apparatus in the preparation of carbon nanotubes. In one aspect, the multistage reactors include an array of interconnected fluidized-bed reactors. The multilayer reactors include a plurality of reaction zones.

Abstract: An aggregate structure of carbon fibers, organized by a plurality of carbon fibers, includes, an aggregate of the carbon fibers aligned in a lengthwise direction, in which a density of the carbon fibers at one side end is different from a density of the carbon fibers at the other side end.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the purification of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by continuous liquid extraction are disclosed. Carbon nanotubes are introduced to a flow of liquid that enables the separation of CNTs from impurities due to differences in the dispersibility of the CNTs and the impurities within the liquid. Examples of such impurities may include amorphous carbon, graphitic nanoparticles, and metal containing nanoparticles. The continuous extraction process may be performed in one or more stages, where one or more of extraction parameters may be varied between the stages of the continuous extraction process in order to effect removal of selected impurities from the CNTs. The extraction parameters may include, but are not limited to, the extraction liquid, the flow rate of the extraction liquid, the agitation of the liquid, and the pH of the liquid, and may be varied, depending on the impurity to be removed from the CNTs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to electroconductive inks and methods of making and using the same. The electroconductive inks include carbon fibrils and a liquid vehicle. The electroconductive ink may further include a polymeric binder. The electroconductive filler used is carbon fibrils which may be oxidized. The ink has rheological properties similar to that of commercially available electroconductive inks that use carbon black as their filler. The ink can be screen-printed, slot-coated, sprayed, brushed or dipped onto a wide variety of substrates to form an electroconductive coating.

Abstract: Carbon nanotube template arrays may be edited to form connections between proximate nanotubes and/or to delete undesired nanotubes or nanotube junctions.

Abstract: An easy and controllable method and system to attach a carbon nanotube to a scanning probe tip such as a scanning probe microscopy (SPM) tip using a focus ion beam (FIB) technique. The method and system includes selecting a carbon fiber by a Focus Ion Beam micromanipulator, picking up the carbon fiber with the nanotube tip, forming a slot on an SPM tip, and inserting the carbon fiber with the nanotube tip into the slot.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of producing vapor grown carbon fiber by vapor-phase reaction conducted by supplying carbon source compounds and a catalyst or a catalyst precursor into a heating zone, wherein at least one of the carbon source compound and the catalyst or the catalyst precursor is solid at room temperature and the solid compound is supplied in gas form into the heating zone from a material supplier filled with the solid material alone at a constant amount. The production method according to the invention enables efficient and stable production of vapor phase carbon fiber even by using a high-volume production equipment.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide carbon fibers which have a high conductivity, readily form a network in a matrix and are suitable for use in a radiating member as well as a molded product thereof. The present invention is pitch-based carbon fibers which are obtained from mesophase pitch and have an average fiber diameter (AD) of 5 to 20 ?m, a ratio (CVAD value) of the degree of filament diameter distribution to average fiber diameter (AD) of 5 to 15, a number average fiber length (NAL) of 25 to 500 ?m, a volume average fiber length (VAL) of 55 to 750 ?m and a value obtained by dividing the volume average fiber length (VAL) by the number average fiber length (NAL) of 1.02 to 1.50, and a manufacturing method and molded product thereof.

Abstract: A solid acid including a carbon nanotube (CNT), a spacer group combined with the CNT and an ionically conductive functional group connected to the spacer group. A polymer electrolyte membrane may include the same composition, and may be used in a fuel cell. The polymer electrolyte membrane using the solid acid has excellent ionic conductivity and suppresses the cross-over of methanol. The polymer electrolyte membrane is used as an electrolyte membrane of a fuel cell, for example, a direct methanol fuel cell.

Abstract: The present invention is a transparent conductive film characterized in that: a major component of the transparent conductive film is a single-walled carbon nanotube; the single-walled carbon nanotubes are present in a bundle state; and a rope-like shape, which is a state where the bundles are gathered together, can be confirmed by scanning electron microscope observation. The present invention is also a method for producing a liquid crystal alignment film using a transparent electrode substrate, with an electrode layer being the aforementioned transparent conductive film. According to the invention, a transparent electrode substrate with high wettability can be obtained, and further a method for producing an alignment film by which a uniform alignment film can be obtained without deteriorating an electrical characteristic is provided.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing carbon nanotubes includes the steps of: preparing metal-containing-nanofibers which include nanofibers made of organic polymer and metal which possesses a catalytic function in forming carbon nanotubes; and forming carbon nanotubes which contain metal therein by using the nanofibers as a carbon source, wherein the carbon nanotubes are formed by putting the metal-containing-nanofibers into a heating vessel which has a substance capable of converting electromagnetic energy into heat, and by heating the metal-containing-nanofibers using heat which is generated by the heating vessel when electromagnetic energy is applied to the heating vessel.

Abstract: Fibers are spun from a supported array of nanotubes. Fibers are spun using a spinning shaft with, for example, a hook shaped end that contacts the supported nanotubes and twists some of them around each other to begin the fiber. As the twisted nanotubes detach from the support, the shaft moves away from and along the supported array in a controlled direction and at a controlled speed as it spins to twist and detach additional nanotubes from the support and extend the length of the fiber. If the array is pretreated with a dilute polymer solution, excess solution is squeezed out of the growing fiber during spinning, and the polymer may be cured at elevated temperature to provide a strong nanotube composite fiber.

Abstract: carbon nanotubes can be used in a lot of different applications but the main disadvantage of these tubes are that they are expensive. This invention describes a very simple process for producing carbon nanotubes in large scale. This process is very cheaply. It uses the sonochemical approach for generating carbon nanotubes. It is also shown that this process can be used for large industrialization of sonochemical processes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for production of nanoscale materials is disclosed. In the preferred embodiments, the invention is scalable and tunable to reliably produce nanoscale materials of specifically desired qualities and at relatively high levels of purity. In a preferred embodiment, combustible gas is discharged onto a substrate through a multi-zone flame facilitating the formation of nanoscale materials such as single and multi-wall nanotubes.

Abstract: A spun fiber of carbon nanotubes is exposed to ion irradiation. The irradiation exposure increases the specific strength of the spun fiber.

Abstract: In an actuator including at least one active electrode disposed in an electrolyte and comprising at least two webs of an electrically conductive material with a plurality of geometrically anisotropic nanoparticles disposed thereon and oriented uni-directionally in a preferential direction with an electrically conductive connection between the nanoparticles and the webs and a potential difference with respect to ground can be applied to the active electrode by a voltage or current source, the nanoparticles are connected in each case to two webs and the connections are material-interlocking.

Abstract: A method of functionalizing nano-carbon materials with a diameter less than 1 ?m, comprising: contacting the nano-carbon materials with a free radical generating compound such as azo-compound in an organic solvent under an inert gas atmosphere, thereby obtaining nano-carbon materials with functional groups thereon. The physical and chemical properties of the nano-carbon materials can be modified through the aforementioned method.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of forming a guanidine group on carbon nanotubes to improve the dispersibility of carbon nanotubes, a method of attaching carbon nanotubes having guanidine groups to a substrate, and carbon nanotubes and a substrate manufactured by the above methods. The method of forming the guanidine group on the carbon nanotubes includes forming a carboxyl group on the carbon nanotubes, and forming the guanidine group on the carboxyl group of the carbon nanotubes. In addition, the method of attaching the carbon nanotubes having guanidine groups to the substrate includes coating a substrate with a polymer having crown ether attached thereto, drying the polymer layer having crown ether attached thereto formed on the substrate to be semi-dried, and coating the semi-dried polymer layer with a solution including carbon nanotubes having guanidine groups dispersed therein.