Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing purified carbon nanotubes (CNTs) comprising mixing starting CNTs with an organic solvent in the presence of sonication; substantially removing the organic solvent to obtain a CNT composition; and heating the CNT composition at 200° C. or higher to obtain the purified carbon nanotubes. The present invention further relates to the purified CNTs and cohesive CNT assemblies prepared from the method described herein, and articles (e.g. capacitor, energy storage device or capacitive deionization device) comprising the purified CNTs.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an infrared sensor material includes preparing a CNT dispersion solution by dispersing a Carbon Nanotube (CNT) in a solvent, forming a CNT thin film using the CNT dispersion solution as a raw material, and annealing the CNT thin film so that an absolute value of the temperature coefficient of resistance is equal to or more than 1%/K at a temperature of ?10° C. to 50° C.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a highly conductive carbon nanotube having bundle moieties with ultra low apparent density less than 0.01 g/cc. More specifically, this invention relates to a highly conductive carbon nanotube prepared by following preparation steps of i) preparing the sphere shape of metal catalyst by spray pyrolysis of catalytic metal precursor solution including low molecular weight polymer, ii) synthesizing carbon nanotube using carbon source and obtained metal catalyst according to thermal chemical vapor deposition method; and iii) obtaining a highly conductive carbon nanotube having bundle moieties with ultra-low bulk apparent density.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for preparing hollow carbon fibers having an empty space in the cross section thereof. More specifically, the disclosed method includes melt-spinning an acrylonitrile-based polymer by using a supercritical fluid as a plasticizer; drawing spun fibers to prepare hollow precursor fibers; and stabilizing and carbonizing the hollow precursor fibers to prepare the hollow carbon fibers. The hollow carbon fibers obtained by the disclosed method have at least a 10 to 50% lower specific gravity than conventional hollow carbon fibers (solid), but have similar mechanical properties to the conventional fibers. Furthermore, the diameter of carbon fibers can be adjusted, thereby making it possible to widen the application of hollow carbon fibers.

Abstract: An aggregate of carbon-based fine structures in which a plurality of carbon-based fine structures are collected, wherein respective carbon-based fine structures are oriented in the same direction. The above aggregate of carbon-based fine structures is an aggregate of a plurality of carbon-based fine structures in a state they are pulled by one another with strong interaction, and has such a length that allows the improvement of the handleability and workability thereof.

Abstract: A supported catalyst for synthesizing multi-walled carbon nanotubes includes a supporting body and a metal catalyst including Fe, Co, and Mn in a mole ratio according to Equation (1): Fe:Co:Mn=1:x:y??(1) wherein 2.0?x?4.0 and 0.01?y?5.00. The supported catalyst can be prepared by dissolving the metal catalysts into a solvent to prepare an aqueous solution of the metal catalysts; dissolving supporting body materials into a solvent to prepare an aqueous solution of the supporting body material; mixing the aqueous solutions and heating the mixed solution at temperature of about 100° to about 800° C. under normal atmospheric pressure for about 10 to about 40 min. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes can be prepared by placing the supported catalyst in chemical vapor deposition (TCVD) equipment and feeding hydrocarbon gas and hydrogen gas at a temperature of about 650° to about 1,100° C. under normal atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Multiple-scale self-assembled tube structures (SATS) comprising multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT) and processes for their nucleation and growth. These hierarchical and self-assembled SATS demonstrate the feasibility of controlled synthesis of macroscopic CNT structures and CNT-reinforced materials for use in broad applications such as structures, thermal transfer, electronics, fluid dynamics, and micro-fluidics.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the disclosure, a composite raw material and a method for forming the same are provided. The method includes sulfonating a polycyclic aromatic compound to form a polycyclic aromatic carbon sulfonate (PCAS); and mixing the polycyclic aromatic carbon sulfonate and a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) to form a composite raw material. In another embodiment of the disclosure, a carbon fiber containing the composite raw material described above and a method for forming the same are provided.

Abstract: A first layer of a catalyst material is formed on a substrate and heat treated to form a first plurality of nanoparticles. A second layer of a catalyst material is then formed over the substrate and the first plurality of nanoparticles and heat treated to form a second plurality of nanoparticles. The first layer of nanoparticles is advantageously not affected by the deposition or heat treatment of the second layer of catalyst material, for example being pinned or immobilised, optionally by oxidation, before formation of the second layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous, carbon fiber with nanoscale features comprising carbon and carbon nanotubes, wherein the nanotubes are substantially aligned along a longitudinal axis of the fiber. Also provided is a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) precursor including about 50% to about 99.9% by weight of a melt-spinnable PAN and about 0.01% to about 10% of carbon nanotubes. Other precursor materials such as polyphenylene sulfide, pitch and solution-spinnable PAN are also provided. The precursor can also include a fugitive polymer which is dissociable from the precursor polymer.

Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention relates to a layered structure usable in a strain sensor. In one embodiment, the layered structure has a substrate with a first surface and an opposite, second surface defining a body portion therebetween; and a film of carbon nanotubes deposited on the first surface of the substrate, wherein the film of carbon nanotubes is conductive and characterized with an electrical resistance. In one embodiment, the carbon nanotubes are aligned in a preferential direction. In one embodiment, the carbon nanotubes are formed in a yarn such that any mechanical stress increases their electrical response. In one embodiment, the carbon nanotubes are incorporated into a polymeric scaffold that is attached to the surface of the substrate. In one embodiment, the surfaces of the carbon nanotubes are functionalized such that its electrical conductivity is increased.

Abstract: A system includes a reusable substrate upon which a carbon nanostructure is formed as a carbon nanostructure-laden reusable substrate, a first conveyor system adapted to continuously convey the reusuable substrate through a carbon nanotube catalyst application station and carbon nanostructure growth station, and a second conveyor system adapted to create an interface between a second substrate and the carbon nanostructure-laden reusuable substrate, the interface facilitating transfer of a carbon nanostructure from the carbon nanostructure-laden reusuable substrate to the second substrate. A method includes growing a carbon nanostructure on a reusable substrate, the carbon nanostructure includes a carbon nanotube polymer having a structural morphology comprising interdigitation, branching, crosslinking, and shared walls and transferring the carbon nanostructure to a second substrate to provide a carbon nanostructure-laden second substrate.

Abstract: Robust oiling agent compositions for use in preparing carbon fibers from acrylic polymer carbon fiber precursors contain at least one silicone copolymer minimally containing an organopolysiloxane moiety, a polyoxyalkylene polyether moiety, and at least one internal or terminal urea or urethane group.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the present invention provides methods of immobilizing carbon nanotubes on a surface, wherein the method comprises: (1) mixing carbon nanotubes with a superacid to form a carbon nanotube solution; and (2) exposing the carbon nanotube solution to the surface. The exposing results in the immobilization of the carbon nanotubes on the surface. In some embodiments, the method occurs without the utilization of carbon nanotube wrapping molecules. Other embodiments of the present invention pertain to systems that comprise immobilized carbon nanotubes on a surface, as developed by the aforementioned methods.

Abstract: The efficient dispersion of carbon nanotubes in various media and methods of using the same in such applications as inks, coatings, and composites and in various electrical and electronic articles are disclosed. A dispersant is used which has the formula P-(U-Y)s where P is a metal or metal-free phthalocyanine, Y is a compatibilizing moiety with a molecular weight between 500 and 5000 g/mol, U is a linking moiety covalently bonding Y to P, and s is an integer between 1 and 4.

Abstract: Growing spin-capable multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) forests in a repeatable fashion will become possible through understanding the critical factors affecting the forest growth. Here we show that the spinning capability depends on the alignment of adjacent MWCNTs in the forest which in turn results from the synergistic combination of a high areal density of MWCNTs and short distance between the MWCNTs. This can be realized by starting with both the proper Fe nanoparticle size and density which strongly depend on the sheet resistance of the catalyst film. Simple measurement of the sheet resistance can allow one to reliably predict the growth of spin-capable forests. The properties of pulled MWCNTs sheets reflect that there is a relationship between their electrical resistance and optical transmittance. Overlaying either 3, 5, or 10 sheets pulled out from a single forest produces much more repeatable characteristics.

Abstract: A novel carbon nanotube powder containing carbon nanotubes which have a roll-like structure, also novel carbon nanotubes having a roll-like structure, novel processes for the production of the carbon nanotube powders and of the carbon nanotubes, and their use as an additive or substrate for various applications are described.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for producing an oxygenated biochar material possessing a cation-exchanging property, wherein a biochar source is reacted with one or more oxygenating compounds in such a manner that the biochar source homogeneously acquires oxygen-containing cation-exchanging groups in an incomplete combustion process. The invention is also directed to oxygenated biochar compositions and soil formulations containing the oxygenated biochar material.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes carbon nanotube materials and condensation polymers having at least one bridge between carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotube materials comprise a plurality of functionalized single-wall carbon nanotubes linked to at least one other single-wall carbon nanotube by at least one bridge. The at least one bridge comprises at least one amine functionality bonded to the functionalized single-wall carbon nanotubes. The amine functionality may be alkyl or aryl. Carbon nanotube condensation polymers having at least one bridge between single-wall carbon nanotubes are also disclosed. The bridges in the condensation polymers comprise an amine functionality and a condensation agent.

Abstract: Metallic CNTs and semiconducting CNTs are efficiently separated from a CNT mixture of these CNTs, and semiconducting CNTs are separated by structure by using a method that enables separation in high yield in a short time period while conveniently enabling mass processing and automatic processing with inexpensive equipment. Multiple columns charged with gel are connected in series, and excess amounts of a CNT dispersion is passed through the columns to adsorb only the CNTs of a specific structure on the columns. The CNTs are then eluted with an elution to separate CNTs of different structures with high accuracy. The present technique represents a method that conveniently enables mass processing and automatic processing at high yield in a short time period with inexpensive equipment.

Abstract: A method of producing activated carbon fibers (ACFs) includes the steps of providing a natural carbonaceous precursor fiber material, blending the carbonaceous precursor material with a chemical activation agent to form chemical agent-impregnated precursor fibers, spinning the chemical agent-impregnated precursor material into fibers, and thermally treating the chemical agent-impregnated precursor fibers. The carbonaceous precursor material is both carbonized and activated to form ACFs in a single step. The method produces ACFs exclusive of a step to isolate an intermediate carbon fiber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel process for the production of catalysts for the production of carbon nanotubes in agglomerated form, which are characterised by a low bulk density. This invention likewise provides the catalysts, their use in the production of carbon nanotubes in high catalyst-specific yields, and the carbon nanotubes produced by this process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cobalt and molybdenum doped mesoporous silica catalysts and methods for using the catalysts to making Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes. The methods offer increased control over the orientation, length and diameter of the nanotubes produced.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of growth of enhanced adhesion MWCNTs on a substrate, referred to as the HGTiE process, the method comprising: chemical vapor deposition of an adhesive underlayer composed of alumina on a substrate composed of titanium or similar; chemical vapor deposition of a catalyst such as a thin film of iron on top of the adhesive underlayer; pretreatment of the substrate to hydrogen at high temperature; and exposure of the substrate to a feedstock gas such as ethylene at high temperature. The substrate surface may be roughened before placement of an adhesive layer through mechanical grinding or chemical etching. Finally, plasma etching of the MWCNT film may be performed with oxygen plasma. This method of growth allows for high strength adhesion of MWCNTs to the substrate the MWCNTs are grown upon.

Abstract: Techniques for manufacturing an enhanced carbon nanotube (CNT) wire are provided. In one embodiment, an enhanced CNT wire may be manufactured by immersing a metal tip into a CNT colloidal solution, withdrawing the metal tip from the CNT colloidal solution, and then coating the CNT wire with a polymer.

Abstract: [Means for solving] A graphene oxide sheet which changes to a substance having a graphene structure when reduced, and which is obtainable by dispersing a graphene-containing carbon substance using a dispersant to reduce the size of the aggregate units of the graphene-containing carbon substance, and then oxidizing the graphene-containing carbon substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for etching carbon fibers, in particular carbon nanofibers and to the carbon nanofibers obtainable by this method, and the use thereof.

Abstract: An electroconductive film for an actuator is formed from a gel composition including carbon nanofibers, an ionic liquid, and a polymer. The carbon nanofibers are produced with an aromatic mesophase pitch by melt spinning.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of positioning nanoparticles on a patterned substrate. The method comprises providing a patterned substrate with selectively positioned recesses, and applying a solution or suspension of nanoparticles to the patterned substrate to form a wetted substrate. A wiper member is dragged across the surface of the wetted substrate to remove a portion of the applied nanoparticles from the wetted substrate, and leaving a substantial number of the remaining portion of the applied nanoparticles disposed in the selectively positioned recesses of the substrate. The invention is also directed to a method of making carbon nanotubes from the positioned nanoparticles.

Abstract: A gas diffusion media for a fuel cell, such as a proton exchange membrane fuel cell, is provided. The gas diffusion media includes carbonizable acrylic pulp fibers instead of conventional phenolic resin as a binder material. The acrylic fibers are mixed with the carbon fiber dispersion during the papermaking step, thus eliminating the phenolic resin impregnation step typically associated with conventional gas diffusion media manufacturing processes. The mat is then cured and carbonized to produce gas diffusion media.

Abstract: Compositions of discrete carbon nanotubes for improved performance lead acid batteries. Further disclosed is a method to form a lead-acid battery with discrete carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A process of forming a semiconductive carbon nanotube structure includes imposing energy on a mixture that contains metallic carbon nanotubes and semiconductive carbon nanotubes under conditions to cause the metallic carbon nanotubes to be digested or to decompose so that they may be separated away from the semiconductive carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: A method of growing carbon nanomaterials on a substrate wherein the substrate is exposed to an oxidizing gas; a seed material is deposited on the substrate to form a receptor for a catalyst on the surface of said substrate; a catalyst is deposited on the seed material by exposing the receptor on the surface of the substrate to a vapor of the catalyst; and substrate is subjected to chemical vapor deposition in a carbon containing gas to grow carbon nanomaterial on the substrate.

Abstract: A method to prepare new morphologies, especially vesicle-type, of carbon nanotubes (CNT) by supramolecular interactions between them and dendritic or linear-dendritic polymers and copolymers. Due to their water solubility, high functionality and unique properties, the prepared hybrid nanomaterials have excellent applicability in different fields especially in nanomedicine in comparison with usual CNTs.

Abstract: An aligned carbon nanotube bulk structure in which various properties such as density and hardness are controlled depending on the place is provided. An aligned carbon nanotube bulk structure having different density portions is an aligned carbon nanotube bulk structure provided with a high-density portion applied with a density-increasing treatment and an low-density portion and having a plurality of carbon nanotubes (CNT) aligned in a predetermined direction, in which the structure has 1:3 or more of the degree of anisotropy in the alignment direction and in the direction vertical to the alignment direction and, in the (002) peak of the X-ray diffraction data in the high density region, the intensity of X-ray incident along the orientation direction is higher than that of the X-ray intensity from the direction vertical to the alignment direction, and the degree of alignment is defined by specific conditions.

Abstract: Described is a method for the selective etching of single walled carbon nanotubes with CO2 where nanotubes of small diameters are removed.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of positioning nanoparticles on a patterned substrate. The method comprises providing a patterned substrate with selectively positioned recesses, and applying a solution or suspension of nanoparticles to the patterned substrate to form a wetted substrate. A wiper member is dragged across the surface of the wetted substrate to remove a portion of the applied nanoparticles from the wetted substrate, and leaving a substantial number of the remaining portion of the applied nanoparticles disposed in the selectively positioned recesses of the substrate. The invention is also directed to a method of making carbon nanotubes from the positioned nanoparticles.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube structure includes a number of carbon wires and a number of second carbon nanotubes. Each of the carbon nanotube wires includes a number of first carbon nanotubes joined end to end by the carbon-carbon bonds therebetween. The carbon wires and the carbon nanotubes are joined by van der Waals attractive force therebetween.

Abstract: This invention provides an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotube and has a height of not less than 10 ?m, and an aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure which comprises an assembly of a plurality of aligned single-layer carbon nanotubes and has been patterned in a predetermined form. This structure is produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of carbon nanotubes in the presence of a metal catalyst in a reaction atmosphere with an oxidizing agent, preferably water, added thereto. An aligned single-layer carbon nanotube bulk structure, which has realized high purify and significantly large scaled length or height, its production process and apparatus, and its applied products are provided.

Abstract: Methods for producing carbon films are disclosed herein. The methods include treating a carbon nanostructure with one or more dispersing agents, filtering the solution through a filter membrane to form the carbon film, releasing the carbon film from the filter membrane, and transferring the film onto a desired substrate without the use of sonication. Carbon films formed by said methods are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: An isotope-doped nano-structure is provided. The isotope-doped nano-structure includes at least one isotope-doped nano-structure segment having at least two isotopes of the element. The at least two isotopes of the element are mixed uniformly in a certain proportion. The isotope-doped nano-structure can be used for isotope labeling one type of the unlabeled structures such as DNAs, proteins, glucoses, gluconic acids, starches, biotin enzymes, sorbitols, or organic amines. An isotope labeled structure is also provided.

Abstract: A microfluidic component comprises at least one channel (2) delineated by a top wall (6) and a bottom wall (3) and two opposite side walls (4, 5). The distance (P) between the top wall (6) and the bottom wall (3) of the channel (2) is greater than or equal to 25 micrometers and first and second sets of nanotubes (9a, 9b) are respectively borne by the two opposite side walls (4, 5) for the component to present a particularly high ratio between the contact surface and the available volume and a limited overall surface size. In addition, the distance between the two opposite side walls (4, 5) is about a few micrometers and preferably comprised between 3 and 5 micrometers.

Abstract: Methods and devices relating to diodes including single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) are disclosed according to embodiments of the present invention. According to one embodiment, a diode may include one or more SWCNTs. The SWCNTs may be grouped together in multiple bundles with the SWCNTs being generally aligned parallel to each other in the bundles.

Abstract: An organically functionalized carbon nanocapsule is provided. The organically-functionalized carbon nanocapsule includes a hollow carbon nanocapsule having a purity of at least more than 50% and a surface and at least one kind of organic functional groups bonded thereon and uniformly distributed over the surface thereof. The organically-functionalized carbon nanocapsule is of the following formula: F(-E)n, in which F is the carbon nanocapsule, E is the organic functional group, and n is the number of the organic functional group. By functionalization of high-purity carbon nanocapsules, the application thereof is expanded.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of: providing a mixture of a polymer or a resin and a transition metal compound, producing a fiber from the mixture, and heating the fiber under conditions effective to form a carbon nanotube-containing carbonaceous fiber. The polymer or resin is an aromatic polymer or a precursor thereof and the mixture is a neat mixture or is combined with a solvent. Also disclosed are a carbonaceous fiber or carbonaceous nanofiber sheet having at least 15 wt. % carbon nanotubes, a fiber or nanofiber sheet having the a polymer or a resin and the transition metal compound, and a fiber or nanofiber sheet having an aromatic polymer and metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a graphite nano-carbon fiber provided by using an apparatus having a reactor capable of keeping a reducing atmosphere inside thereof, a metal substrate arranged as a catalyst in the reactor, a heater heating the metal substrate, a hydrocarbon source supplying hydrocarbon to the reactor, a scraper scraping carbon fibers produced on the metal substrate, a recovery container recovering the scraped carbon fibers, and an exhaust pump discharging exhaust gas from the reactor. The carbon fibers are linear carbon fibers with a diameter of 80 to 470 nm formed with layers of graphenes stacked in a longitudinal direction.

Abstract: The present invention has an object of providing the carbon fiber (or the nonwoven fabric configured of the aforementioned carbon fiber) of which the surface area, the graphitization degree, and the fiber diameter are large, high, and small, respectively, and yet of which dispersion is small. The method of producing the carbon fiber nonwoven fabric includes a dispersion liquid preparing step of preparing a dispersion liquid containing resin and pitch, an electrospinning step of producing the nonwoven fabric that is comprised of carbon fiber precursors with electrospinning from the aforementioned dispersion liquid, and a modifying step of modifying the carbon fiber precursors of the nonwoven fabric obtained in the aforementioned electrospinning step into the carbon fiber.

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 method to prepare a carbon fiber bundle which can develop satisfactory interfacial adhesion to polyolefin-based resins, especially polypropylene resins, is provided. The carbon fiber bundle comprises a plurality of single fibers sized with a sizing agent comprising: a polymer having a main chain formed of carbon-carbon bonds, containing an acid group in at least part of side chains or at least a part of main chain ends, and having an acid value of 23 to 120 mg KOH/g as measured in accordance with ASTM D1386; or a polymer having a main chain formed of carbon-carbon bonds and containing at least either of an epoxy group and an ester group in at least a part of side chains or at least a part of main chain ends.

Abstract: A method for producing carbon nanotubes uses a polymer as a raw material to undergo in situ thermal decomposition. The method includes steps of mixing the polymer and metallic catalyst through a multiple heating stage process of in-situ thermal decomposition to carbonize the polymer and release carbon elements to produce carbon nanotubes. Advantages of the present invention include easy to prepare, low temperature in manipulation, low production cost, and high safety.