From Gaseous Reactants Patents (Class 423/447.3)
  • Patent number: 7956345
    Abstract: A method is provided for growth of carbon nanotube (CNT) synthesis at a low temperature. The method includes preparing a catalyst by placing the catalyst between two metal layers of high chemical potential on a substrate, depositing such placed catalyst on a surface of a wafer, and reactivating the catalyst in a high vacuum at a room temperature in a catalyst preparation chamber to prevent a deactivation of the catalyst. The method also includes growing carbon nanotubes on the substrate in the high vacuum in a CNT growth chamber after preparing the catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Shanzhong Wang, Mui Hoon Nai, Zhonglin Miao
  • Patent number: 7951351
    Abstract: Methods of preparing single walled carbon nanotubes from a metal catalyst having deposited thereon fullerenes are provided. Fullerenes are deposited onto a metal catalyst precursor or metal catalyst. In the presence of a carbon containing gas, the metal catalyst precursor/fullerene composition is then exposed to conditions suitable for reducing the metal catalyst precursor, for subliming the fullerene and for growing single walled carbon nanotubes. The fullerenes form the end caps for the resulting single walled carbon nanotubes, which are uniform in diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Hyperion Catalysis International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jun Ma, Howard Tennent
  • Patent number: 7947245
    Abstract: A cylindrical screw feeder main body, catalyst feeding portions for introducing a catalyst into the screw feeder main body, low hydrocarbon feeding portions for introducing a low hydrocarbon into the screw feeder main body as a raw material, a screw for conveying the catalyst and nanocarbon produced by pyrolysis of the low hydrocarbon in the feeder main body, a solid matter discharging portion for discharging the catalyst and the nanocarbon conveyed by the screw out of the screw feeder main body and a gas discharging portion for discharging the unreacted low hydrocarbon and hydrogen produced by the pyrolysis of the low hydrocarbon out of the screw feeder main body are provided. Nanocarbon grown with the catalyst as top with time is continuously discharged out of the screw feeder main body while unused catalyst is being fed thereto at the same amount as that of nanocarbon, allowing efficient continuous reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignees: National University Corporation Kitami Institute of Technology, The Japan Steel Works, Ltd., Kajima Corporation
    Inventors: Akio Tada, Satoru Nakamura, Tetsunari Nakamura, Hajime Kakihara, Yoshitaka Togo, Kikuo Koseki, Hiroyuki Takasuna
  • Patent number: 7939218
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to nanowire structures and interconnected nanowire networks comprising such structures, as well as methods for their production. The nanowire structures comprise a nanowire core, a carbon-based layer, and in additional embodiments, carbon-based structures such as nanographitic plates consisting of graphenes formed on the nanowire cores, interconnecting the nanowire structures in the networks. The networks are porous structures that can be formed into membranes or particles. The nanowire structures and the networks formed using them are useful in catalyst and electrode applications, including fuel cells, as well as field emission devices, support substrates and chromatographic applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Nanosys, Inc.
    Inventor: Chunming Niu
  • Publication number: 20110104490
    Abstract: A catalyst for production of a carbon fiber is obtained by dissolving or dispersing [I] a compound containing Fe element; [II] a compound containing Co element; [III] a compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, and Mn; and [IV] a compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of W and Mo in a solvent to obtain a solution or a fluid dispersion, and then by impregnating a particulate carrier with the solution or the fluid dispersion. By means of a step of bringing a carbon source into contact with the catalyst in a vapor phase, the carbon fiber is obtained which is tubular and in which a graphite layer is approximately parallel with the carbon fiber axis, and a shell is in a multi-walled structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Eiji Kambara, Akihiro Kitazaki
  • Publication number: 20110101265
    Abstract: A catalyst for producing a carbon nanofiber is obtained by dissolving or dispersing [I] a compound containing Fe element; [II] a compound containing Co element; [III] a compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, and Mn; and [IV] a compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of W and Mo in a solvent to obtain a solution or the fluid dispersion, and then impregnating a particulate carrier with the solution or the fluid dispersion. A carbon nanofiber is obtained by bringing a carbon element-containing compound into contact with the catalyst in a vapor phase at a temperature of 300 degrees C. to 500 degrees C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: SHOWA DENKO K.K.
    Inventors: Eiji Kambara, Akihiro Kitazaki
  • Publication number: 20110105685
    Abstract: A method for producing a carbon fiber, comprising a step of dissolving or dispersing [I] a compound containing Co element; [II] a compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, and Mn; and [III] a compound containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of W and Mo in a solvent to obtain a solution or a fluid dispersion, a step of impregnating a particulate carrier with the solution or the fluid dispersion to prepare a catalyst, and a step of bringing a carbon source into contact with the catalyst in a vapor phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Eiji Kambara, Akihiro Kitazaki
  • Patent number: 7931885
    Abstract: A method of fabricating carbon nanotube complex is disclosed, which comprises, (A) dispersing carbon nanotubes in a solvent; (B) adding a filler to the above solution to give a precursor solution; (C) performing light illumination on the precursor solution; (D) washing the solution after light exposure; and (E) drying to evaporate the solvent contained in the solution. Therefore, the carbon nanotube complex of the present invention is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignees: Tatung University, Tatung Company
    Inventors: Hong-Ming Lin, Wei-Syuan Lin, Wei-Jen Liu, Cheng-Han Chen
  • Patent number: 7931884
    Abstract: Methods and processes for preparing interconnected carbon single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) are disclosed. The SWNTs soot, synthesized by any one of the art methods, is heated to less than about 1250° C. in flowing dry air using the electrical field (E) component of microwave energy. The tubes of the SWNTs thus treated become welded and interconnected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Avetik Harutyunyan
  • Patent number: 7926440
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for synthesizing nanostructures in a controlled process. An embodiment of the apparatus comprises a stage or substrate holder that is heated, e.g., resistively, and is the primary source of heating for the substrate for nanostructure synthesis. The substrate and substrate heater are enclosed in a chamber, e.g., a metal chamber, which is ordinarily at a lower temperature than are the substrate and substrate heater during synthesis. Some embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for chemical vapor deposition (CVD), low pressure CVD (LPCVD), metal organic CVD (MOCVD), and general vapor deposition techniques. Some embodiments of the present invention allow for in situ characterization and treatment of the substrate and nanostructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Etamota Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas W. Tombler, Jr., Jon W. Lai, Brian Y. Lim, Borys Kolasa
  • Patent number: 7927575
    Abstract: A carbon fabric of high conductivity and high density is formed of oxidized fibers of polypropylene. The oxidized fibers have a carbon content at least 50 wt %, an oxygen content at least 4 wt %, and a limiting oxygen index at least 35%. The carbon fabric is made by preparing a raw fabric obtained from oxidized fibers of polypropylene by weaving and then carbonizing the raw fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Feng Chia University
    Inventor: Tse-Hao Ko
  • Patent number: 7927567
    Abstract: An adsorbent including a porous member having holes and a nanostructure formed on at least a portion of a surface of the porous member, and an air cleaning device including the adsorbent. A porous filter including a porous member having holes and a nanostructure formed on at least a portion of a surface of the porous member, and an air cleaning device including the porous filter. A method of cleaning air for decomposing a hazardous substance using the porous filter and a decomposition gas including a superheated water vapor. A method of manufacturing a porous filter including the steps of growing a nanostructure on at least a portion of a surface of a porous member having holes, allowing a catalyst particle to be contained in a dispersion gas including a superheated water vapor, and spraying the dispersion gas on a surface of the nanostructure to attach the catalyst particle thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikihiro Yamanaka, Jun Kudo, Keita Hara
  • Publication number: 20110085961
    Abstract: The method for producing carbon nanotubes of the invention employs a carbon source that contains carbon and is decomposed when heated and a catalyst that serves as a catalyst for production of carbon nanotubes from the carbon source, to synthesize the carbon nanotubes on a heated support placed in a reactor, the method comprising a catalyst loading step in which the catalyst starting material, as the starting material for the catalyst, is distributed over the support to load the catalyst onto the support, a synthesis step in which the carbon source is distributed over the support to synthesize the carbon nanotubes on the support, and a separating step in which a separating gas stream is distributed over the support to separate the carbon nanotubes from the support, wherein the catalyst loading step, the synthesis step and the separating step are carried out while keeping the support in a heated state and switching supply of the catalyst starting material, the carbon source and the separating gas stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Suguru Noda, Hisashi Sugime, Yukio Yamaguchi, Toshio Osawa, Kazunori Kakehi, Kei Hasegawa, Dong Young Kim
  • Patent number: 7922796
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube filter. The filter including a filter housing; and chemically active carbon nanotubes within the filter housing, the chemically active carbon nanotubes comprising a chemically active layer formed on carbon nanotubes or comprising chemically reactive groups on sidewalls of the carbon nanotubes; and media containing the chemically active carbon nanotubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Holmes, Mark C. Hakey, David V. Horak, James G. Ryan
  • Patent number: 7922993
    Abstract: A method for producing carbon nanostructures according to the invention includes injecting acetylene gas into a reactant liquid. The injected acetylene molecules are then maintained in contact with the reactant liquid for a period of time sufficient to break the carbon-hydrogen bonds in at least some of the acetylene molecules, and place the liberated carbon ions in an excited state. This preferred method further includes enabling the liberated carbon ions in the excited state to traverse a surface of the reactant liquid and enter a collection area. Collection surfaces are provided in the collection area to collect carbon nanostructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Clean Technology International Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony S. Wagner
  • Patent number: 7906043
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the effective dispersion of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) into polymer matrices. The nanocomposites are prepared using polymer matrices and exhibit a unique combination of properties, most notably, high retention of optical transparency in the visible range (i.e., 400-800 nm), electrical conductivity, and high thermal stability. By appropriate selection of the matrix resin, additional properties such as vacuum ultraviolet radiation resistance, atomic oxygen resistance, high glass transition (Tg) temperatures, and excellent toughness can be attained. The resulting nanocomposites can be used to fabricate or formulate a variety of articles such as coatings on a variety of substrates, films, foams, fibers, threads, adhesives and fiber coated prepreg. The properties of the nanocomposites can be adjusted by selection of the polymer matrix and CNT to fabricate articles that possess high optical transparency and antistatic behavior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: John W. Connell, Joseph G. Smith, Joycelyn S. Harrison, Cheol Park, Kent A. Watson, Zoubeida Ounaies
  • Publication number: 20110059006
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: Continental Carbon Company
    Inventors: Jean-Baptiste Donnet, Marie Pontier Johnson, Don T. Norman, Thang Le Huu, Hanae Oulanti
  • Patent number: 7901653
    Abstract: A method for producing carbon nanostructures according to the invention includes injecting acetylene gas into a reactant liquid. The injected acetylene molecules are then maintained in contact with the reactant liquid for a period of time sufficient to break the carbon-hydrogen bonds in at least some of the acetylene molecules, and place the liberated carbon ions in an excited state. This preferred method further includes enabling the liberated carbon ions in the excited state to traverse a surface of the reactant liquid and enter a collection area. Collection surfaces are provided in the collection area to collect carbon nanostructures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Clean Technology International Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony S. Wagner
  • Patent number: 7901654
    Abstract: Methods, processes, and apparatuses for the large scale synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes having small diameters 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, and the reactor is configured to control the flow of the gases such that the reaction time and contact of the reactants with the reactor walls can be controlled. Single-walled carbon nanotubes can be continuously synthesized at a large scale and with high yields, and with small diameters and with narrow diameter ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Avetik Harutyunyan
  • Patent number: 7897131
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a transition metal-carbon nanotube hybrid material using nitrogen as a medium. The present invention is characterized in that nitrogen-added carbon nanotube is grown in the presence of metal catalyst particles by reacting an hydrocarbon gas with a nitrogen gas by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and a transition metal-carbon nanotube hybrid material where a transition metal is uniformly attached to the entire carbon nanotube structure in which nitrogen with a great chemical reactivity is added as heterogeneous elements is chemically manufactured. Therefore, the present invention does not use an acid treatment required to attach transition-metal atoms to the carbon-nanotube, a surface treating process using a surfactant and the like and an inhibitor for preventing the coagulation of the transition metal so that a simplification of the process is obtained and the method is an environment-friendly method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jeung-Ku Kang, Seong-Ho Yang, Hyun-Seok Kim, Kyu-Sung Han, Se-Yun Kim, Jung-Woo Lee, Weon-Ho Shin, Jun-Hyeon Bae
  • Patent number: 7892514
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of exfoliating a layered material (e.g., graphite and graphite oxide) to produce nano-scaled platelets having a thickness smaller than 100 nm, typically smaller than 10 nm, and often between 0.34 nm and 1.02 nm. The method comprises: (a) subjecting the layered material in a powder form to a halogen vapor at a first temperature above the melting point or sublimation point of the halogen at a sufficient vapor pressure and for a duration of time sufficient to cause the halogen molecules to penetrate an interlayer space of the layered material, forming a stable halogen-intercalated compound; and (b) heating the halogen-intercalated compound at a second temperature above the boiling point of the halogen, allowing halogen atoms or molecules residing in the interlayer space to exfoliate the layered material to produce the platelets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Nanotek Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Bor Z. Jang, Aruna Zhamu
  • Patent number: 7887775
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing filamentary structures. The structures include single-walled nanotubes. The method includes combusting hydrocarbon fuel and oxygen to establish a non-sooting flame and providing an unsupported catalyst to synthesize the filamentary structure in a post-flame region of the flame. Residence time is selected to favor filamentary structure growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Murray J. Height, Jack B. Howard, John B. Vandersande
  • Publication number: 20110027164
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus and method for synthesizing carbon nanotubes, including a fuel supply unit for supplying a large amount of liquid metal catalyst mixture using a syringe pump for quantitatively supplying a liquid metal catalyst mixture, mixed with hydrocarbon-based liquid carbon sources such as xylene, toluene, benzene and the like, and metal catalytic particles, such as iron, nickel, cobalt, molybdenum and the like, and a general liquid pump for supplying a liquid metal catalyst mixture depending on the amount thereof; an evaporation unit for evaporating and atomizing the liquid metal catalyst mixture supplied from the fuel supply unit into precursors having a uniform size on the nanometer scale; a carrier gas supply unit for transferring particles atomized in the evaporation unit to a reactor and transferring carrier gas, having an influence on the synthesis of carbon nanotubes, to the reactor; a horizontally oriented reaction unit for synthesizing carbon nanotubes in large quantities using
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF ENERGY RESEARCH
    Inventors: Nam-Jo JEONG, Yong-Seog Seo
  • Patent number: 7879308
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Leo Chow, Guangyu Chai
  • Patent number: 7879261
    Abstract: The invention relates to (1) carbon nanofiber containing iron (Fe) of 6 mass % or less and vanadium (V) of 3 mass % or less as a metal impurity other than carbon, which does not substantially contain metal elements other than Fe and V, (2) a method for producing carbon nanofiber characterized in contacting a catalyst in which Fe and V are supported on a carbon support and a carbon-containing compound at a high temperature, (3) a resin composite material in which the carbon nanofiber is blended and (4) use thereof. According to the invention, an inexpensive carbon fiber filler material can be obtained which has a low content of metal impurities and enables to exhibit electric conductivity when added to resin in a small amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Gaku Oriji, Eiji Kambara
  • Patent number: 7879300
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Martine Mayne, Dominique Porterat, Frédéric Schuster
  • Patent number: 7879309
    Abstract: A method is disclosed whereby a functional nanomaterial such as a monolayer carbon nanotube, a monolayer boron nitride nanotube, a monolayer silicon carbide nanotube, a multilayer carbon nanotube with the number of layers controlled, a multilayer boron nitride nanotube with the number of layers controlled, a multilayer silicon carbide nanotube with the number of layers controlled, a metal containing fullerene, and a metal containing fullerene with the number of layers controlled is produced at a high yield. According to the method, when a multilayer carbon nanotube (3) is formed by a chemical vapor deposition or a liquid phase growth process, an endothermic reaction aid (H2S) is introduced in addition to a primary reactant (CH4, H2) in the process to form a monolayer carbon nanotube (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Japan Science and Technology Agency
    Inventors: Tadashi Mitsui, Takashi Sekiguchi, Mika Gamo, Yafei Zhang, Toshihiro Ando
  • Patent number: 7875256
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Shuo-Hung Chang, Bing-Chen Wei, Neng-Kai Chang
  • Patent number: 7871591
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Avetik Harutyunyan, Elena Mora, Toshio Tokune
  • Publication number: 20110003151
    Abstract: A novel fine carbon fiber is produced by vapor growth, in which a graphite-net plane consisting of carbon atoms alone forms a temple-bell-shaped structural unit comprising closed head-top part and body-part with open lower-end, where an angle ? formed by a generatrix of the body-part and a fiber axis is less than 15°, 2 to 30 of the temple-bell-shaped structural units are stacked sharing a central axis to form an aggregate, and the aggregates are connected in head-to-tail style with a distance, thereby forming a fiber. Furthermore, a fine short carbon fibers with excellent dispersibility can be obtained by shortening the fine carbon fiber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: UBE INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masayuki Nishio, Tsunao Matsuura, Kenji Fukuda
  • Patent number: 7862795
    Abstract: Methods of preparing single walled carbon nanotubes are provided. Carbon containing gas is contacted with a supported metal catalyst under reaction conditions to yield at least 90% single walled carbon nanotubes and at least 1 gram single walled carbon nanotubes/gram metal catalyst. The support material may be calcined at temperatures between 150 and 600° C., and may have at least one oxidized planar surface. Reaction conditions include less than 10 atmospheres pressure and less than 800° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Hyperion Catalysis International, Inc.
    Inventors: Xinjie Zhang, Jun Ma, Howard Tennent, Robert Hoch
  • Patent number: 7850941
    Abstract: A method for forming an array of elongated nanostructures, includes in one embodiment, providing a substrate, providing a template having a plurality of pores on the substrate, and removing portions of the substrate under the plurality of pores of the template to form a plurality of cavities. A catalyst is provided in the plurality of cavities in the substrate, and the pores of the template are widened to expose the substrate around the catalyst so that the catalyst is spaced from the sides of the plurality of pores of the template. A plurality of elongated nanostructures is grown from the catalyst spaced from the sides of the pores of the template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Loucas Tsakalakos, Bastiaan A. Korevaar, Joleyn E. Balch, Jody A. Fronheiser, Reed R. Corderman, Fred Sharifi, Vidya Ramaswamy
  • Patent number: 7850940
    Abstract: The present application provides a C1-xNx nanotube with pores having nano-sized diameter ranging from 5 to 10 ?, where x ranges from 0.001 to 0.2, and a method for controlling the size and quantity of pores in said nanotube by reacting hydrocarbon gas, nitrogen gas, and oxygen gas or hydrogen gas together in the presence of metal catalyst and by controlling the concentration of nitrogen gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Korea Advance Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Jeung-Ku Kang, Jai-Young Lee, Hyun-Seok Kim, Seong-Ho Yang, Kyu-Sung Han, Se-Yun Kim, Jung-Woo Lee, Weon-Ho Sin
  • Patent number: 7846415
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.
    Inventors: Eiji Kambara, Tomoaki Yoshida, Toshio Morita
  • Patent number: 7847207
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Chow, Guang-Yu Chai
  • Patent number: 7838165
    Abstract: The carbon fibers of this invention is characterized in that irreducible inorganic material particles in a mean primary particle size below 500 nm and reducible inorganic material particles in a mean primary particle size below 500 nm were mixed by pulverizing and then, the mixture was heat treated under the reducing atmosphere and metal particles in a mean particle size below 1 ?m were obtained, and the mixed powder of the thus obtained metal particles with the irreducible inorganic material particles are included in the carbon fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Seiichi Suenaga, Maki Yonetsu, Norihiro Tomimatsu, Hideyuki Oozu, Yasuhiro Goto, Yoshihiko Nakano, Shinichi Onodera
  • Publication number: 20100284897
    Abstract: An apparatus for synthesizing a carbon nanotube includes a reaction chamber, a cassette, a transferring member, a heater, a gas supply member and a gas exhausting part. The carbon nanotube is synthesized in the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber has a substantially vertical major axis. The cassette holds a plurality of substrates. The transferring member transfers the cassette along a direction substantially in parallel relative to the major axis to load/unload the cassette into/from the reaction chamber. The heater heats the reaction chamber. The gas supply member provides the reaction chamber with a gas for synthesizing the carbon nanotube. The gas exhausting member exhausts a remaining gas from the reaction chamber. Collecting the carbon nanotube may be facilitated and managing the reaction chamber may be effective to enhance a productivity of the carbon nanotube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Hyung- Joon Kim, Ho-Soo Hwang, Jung-Keun Cho
  • Publication number: 20100282668
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a nanostructured material comprising carbon nanotubes fused together to form a three-dimensional structure. Methods of making the nanostructured material are also disclosed. Such methods include a batch type process, as well as multi-step recycling methods or continuous single-step methods. A wide range of articles made from the nanostructured material, including fabrics, ballistic mitigation materials, structural supports, mechanical actuators, heat sink, thermal conductor, and membranes for fluid purification is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher H. Cooper, Alan G. Cummings
  • Patent number: 7829494
    Abstract: A method for synthesizing carbon nanocoils with high efficiency, by determining the structure of carbon nuclei that have been attached to the ends of carbon nanocoils and thus specifying a true catalyst for synthesizing carbon nanocoils is implemented. The catalyst for synthesizing carbon nanocoils according to the present invention is a carbide catalyst that contains at least elements (a transition metal element, In, C) or (a transition metal element, Sn, C), and in particular, it is preferable for the transition metal element to be Fe, Co or Ni. In addition to this carbide catalyst, a metal catalyst of (Fe, Al, Sn) and (Fe, Cr, Sn) are effective. From among these, catalysts such as Fe3InC0.5, Fe3InC0.5Snw and Fe3SnC are particularly preferable. The wire diameter and the coil diameter can be controlled by using a catalyst where any of these catalysts is carried by a porous carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignees: Japan Science and Technology Agency, Public University Corporation, Osaka Prefecture University, Otsuka Chemical Co., Ltd., Nissin Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Nakayama, Lujun Pan, Toshikazu Nosaka, Osamu Suekane, Nobuharu Okazaki, Takeshi Nagasaka, Toshiki Goto, Hiroyuki Tsuchiya, Takashi Okawa, Keisuke Shiono
  • Patent number: 7829056
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hai Sung Lee
  • Publication number: 20100278717
    Abstract: A carbon nanotube manufacturing method wherein a catalyst is heated in a reaction chamber while the reaction chamber is filled with argon gas containing hydrogen. When a predetermined temperature is reached in the reaction chamber, the reaction chamber is evacuated. Then a raw material gas as a carbon source is charged and sealed in the reaction chamber whereupon the synthesis of carbon nanotube begins. Subsequently, when a condition in which the synthesis of carbon nanotubes has proceeded to a predetermined level is detected, gases in the reaction chamber are exhausted. Then, the raw material gas is changed and sealed in the reaction tube again. Thereafter, the charging (synthesizing) operation and the exhausting operation are repeated until the carbon nanotube with a desired film thickness are synthesized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Suzuki, Shinichi Mukainakano, Kenji Okeyui, Toshiyuki Morishita, Hisayoshi Ooshima
  • Patent number: 7824649
    Abstract: This apparatus and method facilitate the synthesis of a single-wall carbon nanotube array. The apparatus includes a reactor, a local heating device, a gaseous carbon supplier, and a reactant gas supplier. The reactor is configured for receiving a catalyst in a reaction zone thereof. The local heating device is configured for selectively heating the reaction zone and/or the catalyst received thereat. The gaseous carbon supplier is configured for introducing gaseous carbon into the reactor from an upstream position of the reaction zone. The reactant gas supplier is configured for introducing a reactant gas containing a carbon source gas into the reactor. A densely aligned, single-wall carbon nanotube array can be achieved due to the proximity to the catalyst of the heating device and due to the gaseous carbon supplier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kai-Li Jiang, Zhuo Chen, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 7824631
    Abstract: A nanocarbon generation equipment designed such that organic processed materials can be quickly thermally decomposed therein and the decomposed materials are then quenched and liquefied to obtain liquefied materials is disclosed. This equipment comprises thermal reactor for quickly thermally decomposing the organic processed materials, apparatus for recovering the liquefied materials which are liquefied through quenching of thermally decomposed organic processed materials, a rotary furnace to be filled with a reducing atmosphere and loaded with hydrocarbons to be obtained through vaporization of liquefied materials after impurities contained in the liquefied materials are removed, and metal balls made of a metal selected from stainless steel, iron, nickel, chromium and an optional combination thereof, wherein the hydrocarbon introduced into the rotary furnace is decomposed into carbon and hydrogen, thus enabling nanocarbon to be produced through vapor-phase growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Noma, Hidetoshi Ibe, Eiichi Sugiyama, Tadashi Imai, Kazutaka Kojo, Kiyoshi Imai
  • Patent number: 7820133
    Abstract: A method for growing an array of carbon nanotubes includes the steps of: (a) providing a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface; (b) forming a catalyst film on the first surface of the substrate; (c) flowing a mixture of a carrier gas and a carbon source gas over the catalyst film; (d) providing a semiconductor laser system to generate a focused laser beam; and (e) irradiating the focused laser beam on the substrate to grow an array of carbon nanotubes on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignees: Tsinghua University, Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhuo Chen, Chun-Xiang Luo, Kai-Li Jiang, Shou-Shan Fan
  • Patent number: 7820132
    Abstract: Apparatus (210) for producing a multi-wall carbon nanotube (213) may comprise a process chamber (216), a furnace (217) operatively associated with the process chamber (216), and at least one filament (218) positioned within the process chamber (216). At least one power supply (220) operatively associated with the at least one filament (218) heats the at least one filament (218) to a process temperature. A gaseous carbon precursor material (214) operatively associated with the process chamber (216) provides carbon for forming the multi-wall carbon nanotube (213). A metal catalyst material (224) operatively associated with the process (216) catalyzes the formation of the multi-wall carbon nanotube (213).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Anne C. Dillon, Archie H. Mahan, Jeffrey L. Alleman
  • Patent number: 7815885
    Abstract: A method includes liberating carbon atoms from hydrocarbon molecules by reaction with or in a reactant liquid and maintaining the liberated carbon atoms in an excited state. The chemically excited liberated carbon atoms are then enabled to traverse a surface of the reactant liquid and are directed across a collection surface. The collection surface and the conditions at and around the collection surface are maintained so that the liberated carbon atoms in the excited state phase change to a ground state by carbon nanostructure self-assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Clean Technology International Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony S. Wagner
  • Patent number: 7815886
    Abstract: A method includes isolating carbon atoms as conditioned carbide anions below a surface of a reactant liquid. The conditioned carbide anions are then enabled to escape from the reactant liquid to a collection area where carbon nanostructures may form. A carbon structure produced in this fashion includes at least one layer made up of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms. Each carbon atom has three covalent bonds to adjoining carbon atoms and one unbound pi electron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Clean Technology International Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony S. Wagner
  • Publication number: 20100247421
    Abstract: [Problems to be Solved] There is provided a method for production of a carbon nanotube, which allows for production of the carbon nanotube in a large scale and at a low cost. [Solution] The temperature of a catalyst loaded on a support is raised by heating the support and a raw material gas containing a carbon source is supplied on the catalyst to synthesize the carbon nanotube. The synthesized carbon nanotube is recovered, and after the recovery, the catalyst is subjected to a regeneration treatment to repeatedly utilize the support. Since the catalyst deteriorates, the catalyst is regenerated periodically or nonperiodically during the production. The regeneration treatment of the catalyst involves an oxidation treatment of the catalyst. Further, after the oxidation treatment, a reducing gas is fed to and brought into contact with the catalyst surface to reduce the catalyst. As the support, a honeycomb is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Suguru Noda, Hisashi Sugime, Yukio Yamaguchi
  • Publication number: 20100239491
    Abstract: The present teachings are directed to methods of preparing cylindrical carbon structures, specifically single-walled carbon nanotubes, with a desired chirality. The methods include the steps of providing a catalyst component on a substrate and a carbon component, contacting the catalyst component and the carbon component to produce a cylindrical carbon structure. Then, no longer providing the carbon component and determining the chirality of the cylindrical carbon structure. The catalyst component is then cleaned and the process is repeated until the cylindrical carbon structure fulfills a desired characteristic, such as, length. The chirality of the single-walled carbon nanotube grown, after cleaning of the catalyst component, has the same chirality as the initially produced nanotube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Avetik Harutyunyan
  • Patent number: 7799726
    Abstract: A composite comprising a support activated by impregnation and carbon nanotubes or nanofibers formed by vapor deposition, wherein the weight of said carbon nanotubes or nanofibers formed on the said support is at least equal to 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignees: Sicat, Centre National de la Recherche; Scientifique, Universite de Strasbourg
    Inventors: Cuong Pham-Huu, Ricardo Vieira, Marc J. Ledoux, Loïc Charbonniere, Raymond Ziessel