Abstract: A process for functionalizing a carbon surface and the product thereof is disclosed. The first reactant used contains one or more electron withdrawing groups that thereafter can be reacted with other compounds. The reaction product has enhanced dispersability, interaction with other media, or other utilitarian uses, e.g. a reactive surface. The reaction product is then incorporated into an elastomeric or thermoplastic composition; it can be dispersed in a liquid media such as an ink, coating, or lubricant; or it can be used as a solid in applications such as a filtering media.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for suppressing the formation of metal-containing coke during processing of a hydrocarbonaceous material, such as for example a hydrocarbon conversion processes. Electromagnetic radiation is applied to the hydrocarbonaceous material while heating the hydrocarbonaceous material to a temperature above 700 degrees F. The frequency of the electromagnetic radiation is preferably below 300 MHz. The process is particularly useful in the reforming of a hydrocarbon material for operation in a fuel cell.

Abstract: A process for producing an activated carbon includes the step of adsorbing an organic compound onto an activated carbon comprising pores which exhibit a wide pore diameter distribution, thereby selectively closing smaller pores which have a small pore diameter. In accordance with the production process, it is possible to produce activated carbons which are good in terms of the adsorption-desorption characteristic.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a modified carbon black with an adhering layer of aluminum oxide and/or hydroxide. This process involves (a) impregnating a starting carbon black with a colloidal suspension formed by hydrolysis of a solution of aluminum alkoxide in an alcoholic solvent, (b) removing the alcoholic solvent by evaporation, and (c) heat-treating the black thus impregnated so as to transform the aluminuous layer present at its surface into an adhering layer of aluminum oxide and/or hydroxide. The modified carbon black prepared by the process is also provided.

Abstract: Novel catalysts comprised of graphitic nanostructures. The graphitic nanostructure catalysts are suitable for catalyzing reactions such as oxidation, hydrogenation, oxidative-hydrogenation, and dehydrogenation.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, the electric field of a focused laser beam induces a dipole in a single-walled carbon nanotube. The single-walled carbon nanotube has one or more resonant frequencies. When the frequency of the laser beam is less than a resonance frequency of the single-walled carbon nanotube, the single-walled carbon nanotube may be trapped and the laser beam may move the single-walled carbon nanotube from a first microfluidic laminar flow to a second microfluidic laminar flow. When the frequency of the laser beam is higher than a resonant frequency of the single-walled carbon nanotube, the single-walled carbon nanotube may be repelled and the laser beam may not move the single-walled carbon nanotube.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the purification of single-wall carbon nanotubes and the purified single-wall carbon nanotube material. Known methods of single-wall carbon nanotube production result in a single-wall carbon nanotube product that contains single-wall carbon nanotubes in addition to impurities including residual metal catalyst particles and amounts of small amorphous carbon sheets that surround the catalyst particles and appear on the sides of the single-wall carbon nanotubes and “ropes” of single-wall carbon nanotubes. The purification process removes the extraneous carbon as well as metal-containing residual catalyst particles. The process employs steps including a gas-phase oxidation of the amorphous carbon and subsequent liquid-phase reaction of a halogen-containing acid with the metal-containing species. Optionally, the single-wall carbon nanotube material may be annealed dry or in the presence of moisture.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a porous coal-based material having a density of between about 0.1 g/cm3 and about 0.6 g/cm3 that is produced by the controlled heating of small coal particulate in a “mold” and under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The coal starting material preferably exhibits a free swell index of between about 3.5 and about 5.0 and most preferably between about 4.0 and about 4.5. The porous product thereby produced can be machined, adhered and otherwise fabricated to produce a wide variety of low cost, low density products, or used in its preformed shape as a filter, heat or electrical insulator etc. Such porous products, without further treatment exhibit compressive strengths of up to about 6000 psi. Further treatment by carbonization or graphitization yields products that can be used as electrical or heat conductors. Methods for the production of these coal-based cellular products are also described.

Abstract: A method for fabricating of macroscopic two or three dimensionally ordered arrays of single wall nanotubes (SWNTs) comprising the following steps: chemically treating purified SWNTs using the sol gel process to add chemically reactive groups to either the tube ends or tube bodies in order to functionalize the SWNTs; suspending the functionalized SWNTs in an appropriate liquid medium such that a colloid is produced; treating the colloid with a chemical or heat to promote coupling of the individual functionalized SWNTs to each other; and heating the coupled SWNTs to evaporate any excess liquid so as to provide a final product comprising an array of covalently bound functionalized SWNTs.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed which allow for manipulation of nanotubes. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention enable various types of manipulation of nanotubes utilizing an organic material that is presented to the nanotubes. For example, a preferred embodiment of the present invention enables cutting of nanotubes into shortened nanotubes. Other types of nanotube manipulation that are enabled by embodiments of the present invention, include dispersing nanotubes, enabling dissolution of nanotubes, and noncovalently fuctionalizing nanotubes. The organic material utilized in manipulating nanotubes preferably comprises a soft organic material, soluble organic material, and/or an organic material that acts as a dispersing reagent for dispersing nanotubes. In a preferred embodiment, the organic material utilized for manipulating nanotubes comprises cyclodextrin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an anode material for a battery and a preparation method thereof, and particularly to surface-treated carbon that has a large capacity and superior room temperature and high temperature cycle life properties, and that comprises a carbon core and a coating layer containing a fluorine-type organometal salt, and thus can be used as an anode material for a battery; and a preparation method thereof. A lithium or lithium ion secondary battery comprising the surface-treated carbon as an anode material has improved high temperature cycle life properties and stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for the incorporation of sulfonate functional groups onto the surface of carbonaceous compounds and materials, and similarly provides several surface modified carbonaceous compounds and materials resulting therefrom.

Abstract: A new shaped activated carbon and the method of its manufacture are disclosed. The invention resides in the crosslinking of a polymeric cellulose, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), within the carbon bodies after they are shaped, employing the CMC as a binder for the activated carbon. The approach to attain product mechanical strength and water stability by crosslinking rather than high temperature heat treatment is not obvious from the prior art teaching. The crosslinking reaction occurs at temperatures below 270° C. In addition, this new binder technology produces shaped carbon bodies having key properties beyond the best level that has been accomplished with other binders.

Abstract: Carbon bodies are heated in an oven under low pressure and while being swept with an inert gas, gaseous effluent containing elemental or compound sodium in sublimed form being continuously extracted from the oven via an effluent exhaust pipe. At least one sodium-neutralizing agent is injected into the effluent exhaust pipe immediately downstream from the outlet for exhausting gaseous effluent from the oven. The sodium-neutralizing agent is selected from carbon dioxide and steam, and it can be injected continuously into the flow of gaseous effluent.

Abstract: Heat treatment is performed on preforms placed in an enclosure accompanied by sweeping with an inert gas under reduced pressure, and with a gaseous effluent being exhausted continuously via a first effluent outlet connected to an effluent exhaust circuit. At the end of the heat treatment, the first gaseous effluent outlet is closed so as to isolate the effluent exhaust circuit from the enclosure, sweeping of the enclosure with the inert gas is interrupted, and the heat-treated preforms are left in the enclosure and are subjected to densification by admitting a reagent gas into the enclosure via at least one reagent gas admission duct opening out into the enclosure, with gaseous effluent being exhausted via a second effluent outlet separate from the first, said second outlet being closed during the heat treatment step. Advantageously, metal, in particular sodium, contained in the gaseous effluent exhausted from the enclosure during the heat treatment step is neutralized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low nitrogen concentration carbonaceous material with a nitrogen concentration according to glow discharge mass spectrometry of 100 ppm or less, as well as a manufacturing method thereof are provided. A carbonaceous material subjected to a high purification treatment in a halogen gas atmosphere is heat treated under a pressure of 100 Pa or less and at a temperature of 1800° C. or higher, releasing nitrogen in the carbonaceous material and then cooling the material under a pressure of 100 Pa or less or in a rare gas atmosphere.

Abstract: A method of efficiently removing active oxy-hydrogens (e.g., existing as hetero element-containing functional groups such as COOH, CHO, and OH) present in a carbon material at a relative low temperature. The invention also provides a carbon-activating material adapted for use in a polarizable electrode typically used in an electrical double-layer capacitor. The method of removing residual active oxy-hydrogens in the carbon material starts with mixing the carbon material and a transition metal or a transition metal compound. The resulting mixture is thermally processed within a stream of a reducing gas. Preferably, the transition metal or transition metal compound is removed from the thermally processed mixture.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of coal-based carbon foams from a coal particulate starting material that comprises blending from 1 to about 10% by weight of pitch with the coal particulate before foaming. Blends of coal-based particulate with 1 to about 10% by weight of pitch as well as coal-based carbon foams manufactured from such blends are also described.

Abstract: According to the present invention, carbon foams are produced largely in accordance with the methods described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/902,828, but with starting materials that comprise from about 10 to about 90% by weight of ground petroleum pitch and from about 90 to about 10% by weight of bituminous coal particulate exhibiting a free swell index of from about 3.5 to about 5.0.

Abstract: A method for producing expandable graphite intercalation compounds uses a thermal polyphosphoric acid which is added to an intercalation agent or to graphite. Preferably, the thermal polyphosphoric acid is used in a mixture with red, fuming nitric acid. Products produced from the graphite intercalation compounds through the expanded graphite stage, such as graphite foils, graphite laminates or graphite seals, have a comparatively high fluid tightness, are relatively resistant to oxidative attack, and can have comparatively high strengths. A further advantage is a good handling ability of the thermal polyphosphoric acids. A graphite foil is also provided.

Abstract: This invention is directed to making chemical derivatives of carbon nanotubes and to uses for the derivatized nanotubes, including making arrays as a basis for synthesis of carbon fibers. In one embodiment, this invention also provides a method for preparing single wall carbon nanotubes having substituents attached to the side wall of the nanotube by reacting single wall carbon nanotubes with fluorine gas and recovering fluorine derivatized carbon nanotubes, then reacting fluorine derivatized carbon nanotubes with a nucleophile. Some of the fluorine substituents are replaced by nucleophilic substitution. If desired, the remaining fluorine can be completely or partially eliminated to produce single wall carbon nanotubes having substituents attached to the side wall of the nanotube. The substituents will, of course, be dependent on the nucleophile, and preferred nucleophiles include alkyl lithium species such as methyl lithium.

Abstract: A method for removing mercury from a combustion gas in an exhaust gas system has the steps of providing a mercury sorbent; injecting the mercury sorbent into a stream of the mercury-containing combustion gas to enable mercury to adsorb onto the sorbent; and collecting and removing the sorbent from the combustion gas stream. The mercury sorbent is prepared by treating a carbonaceous substrate with an ozone-containing gas to increase the ability of the substrate to adsorb mercury. Concrete compositions with fly ash containing the mercury sorbents will have reduced interference with air-entraining-admixtures.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of highly active modified carbon supported palladium catalyst by simultaneously impregnating activated carbon with a palladium precursor and an aluminium precursor. The carbon supported palladium catalyst is useful for the hydrodechlorination of dichlorodifluoromethane to produce difluoromethane.

Abstract: A method of making expanded graphite. The method comprises grinding flexible graphite foil, preferably recycled material, to a small particle size, wetting the graphite foil with a water solution, thermally shocking the particles to expand them, mixing the expanded graphite with a thermoset phenolic resin, heating the mixture under pressure to form a solid sheet and then heat treating the solid sheet.

Abstract: The present invention involves fibers of highly aligned single-wall carbon nanotubes and a process for making the same. The present invention provides a method for effectively dispersing single-wall carbon nanotubes. The process for dispersing the single-wall carbon nanotubes comprises mixing single-wall carbon nanotubes with 100% sulfuric acid or a superacid, heating and stirring under an inert, oxygen-free environment. The single-wall carbon nanotube/acid mixture is wet spun into a coagulant to form the single-wall carbon nanotube fibers. The fibers are recovered, washed and dried. The single-wall carbon nanotubes were highly aligned in the fibers, as determined by Raman spectroscopy analysis.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of separating a first and a second set of fullerenes in a fullerene mixture. In the method of the invention, a stable fullerene cation is formed of one of the first or the second set of fullerenes. The fullerene cation is then separated from the other set of fullerenes. Optionally, the fullerene cation may be returned to its neutral state. The method of the invention is particularly useful for the purification and separation of endohedral fullerenes from empty fullerenes. However, the method may be applied to the purification of a broad range of endohedral and empty fullerene materials.

Abstract: Disclosed is a carbon-based active material for a rechargeable lithium battery that is capable of increasing charge and discharge efficiency of the battery.

Abstract: A formed activated carbon has a Kiya crushing strength of 1 kg or more and a specific heat of 0.4 J/K·cc or more at 25° C.

Abstract: A method of making a battery having a cathode includes contacting carbon particles with an oxidizing agent, such as, for example, an inorganic acid, an organic acid, or an oxidizing gas, and incorporating the carbon particles into the cathode. The cathode can be used, for example, in a metal-air battery that includes a monolayer or dual-layer cathode, or in a fuel cell.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing carbon nanotubes with an integrally attached outer graphitic layer is disclosed. The graphitic layer improves the ability to handle and manipulate the nanometer size nanotube device in various applications, such as a probe tip in scanning probe microscopes and optical microscopes, or as an electron emitting device. A thermal chemical vapor deposition reactor is the preferred reaction vessel in which a transition metal catalyst with an inert gas, hydrogen gas and a carbon-containing gas mixture are heated at various temperatures in a range between 500° C. and 1000° C. with gases and temperatures being adjusted periodically during the reaction times required to grow the nanotube core and subsequently grow the desired outer graphitic layer.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for purification of nanotube soot in a non-destructive and efficient method using a polymer having a coiling structure to extract nanotubes from their accompanying material without damage to their structure and with a high mass yield. Nanotube soot is added to a solvent which including a coiling polymer to form a solution. The solution is mixed with a nanotube composite suspension is formed with extraneous solid material such as amorphous carbon settling at the bottom of the solution. The nanotube composite suspension is decanted from the settled solid.

Abstract: A method of pre-treating carbon or graphite material to increase porosity and render pore size more uniform includes etching by electrochemically pulsing the material in an acid saline solution and optionally steam treating.

Abstract: A new shaped activated carbon and the method of its manufacture are disclosed. The invention resides in the crosslinking of a polymeric cellulose, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), within the carbon bodies after they are shaped, employing the CMC as a binder for the activated carbon. The approach to attain product mechanical strength and water stability by crosslinking rather than high temperature heat treatment is not obvious from the prior art teaching. The crosslinking reaction occurs at temperatures below 270° C. In addition, this new binder technology produces shaped carbon bodies having key properties beyond the best level that has been accomplished with other binders.

Abstract: A continuous preparation of calcium hydroxide slurry can be made on a mobile apparatus that uses an eductor to initially combine metered flows of calcium oxide and water. The calcium hydroxide slurry is retained in a deaerating sump and then pumped into a serpentine centrifugal mixer so that the reaction of the calcium oxide and the water is safely complete. Because the apparatus allows the calcium hydroxide slurry to be recirculated into the deaerating sump, the slaking process can continue even when it is necessary to pause the discharge of slurry to change transport tankers.

Abstract: A process for producing a water filter material is provided. The process includes the steps of providing a plurality of carbon particles having a point of zero charge of less than about 7, wherein the sum of the mesopore and macropore volumes of the plurality of filter particles is greater than about 0.12 mL/g. The plurality of carbon particles are exposed to a converting agent and heated in a furnace after the step of exposing.

Abstract: Petroleum or coal tar pitch-based cellular or porous products having a density of preferably between about 0.1 g/cm3 and about 0.8 g/cm3 are produced by the controlled heating of mesophase carbon materials derived from coal tar or petroleum pitch having a softening point in excess of about 300° C. and preferably between about 300 and about 400° C. in a “mold” and under a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The porous product thereby produced, preferably as a net shape or near net shape, can be machined, adhered and otherwise fabricated to produce a wide variety of low cost, low density products.

Abstract: An activated carbon for an electric double layer capacitor electrode, which comprises a stacking structure having 2 layers or less of in a proportion stacking of from 25 to 80% and a stacking structure having 5 layers or more in a proportion of from 2 to 30% in the distribution of a stacking structure as obtained by analysis of the X-ray diffraction pattern of (002) plane, and which has a specific surface area of from 500 to 2,800 m2/g and a total pore volume of from 0.5 to 1.8 cm3/g.

Abstract: Carbon nanotubes are dissolved in organic solutions by attaching an aliphatic carbon chain (which may contain aromatic residues) so as to render the carbon nanotubes soluble.

Abstract: Provided are a method of treating coal ash by mixing it with water, in which the coal ash and water undergo a temperature difference therebetween while they are mixed; and a method of desulfurization in a coal combustion boiler system, which comprises mixing coal ash that has been separated from a ash collector in the system, with water on the condition that the two undergo a temperature difference therebetween while they are mixed, and circulating the resulting mixture that serves as a desulfurizing agent into the coal combustor in the system. The desulfurization capability of the desulfurizing agent used in the desulfurization method is higher than that of the desulfurizing agent obtained through hydration of coal ash with water or steam.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for recovering precious metals from fine carbon bearing residual amounts of precious metals. The process involves the incineration of the carbon, followed by a method for separating the precious metals from carbon ash. Possible methods include cyanidation, gravity concentration, smelting, electrowinning and solvent extraction.

Abstract: Methods of aligning single walled carbon nanotube structures into selected orientations for a variety of different applications are achieved by initially dispersing the nanotube structures in aqueous solutions utilizing a suitable dispersal agent. The dispersal agent coats each individual nanotube structure in solution. The dispersal agent may be substituted with a suitable functional group that reacts with a corresponding binding site. Dispersed nanotube structures coated with substituted dispersal agents are exposed to a selected array of binding sites such that the nanotubes align with the binding sites due to the binding of the substituted functional groups with such binding sites. Alternatively, crystalline nanotube material is formed upon deposition of dispersed nanotube structures within solution into channels disposed on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of making carbon foam is described which involves pyrolizing a mixture containing at least one pyrolizable substance and at least one unpyrolizable material and then removing the unpyrolizable material to obtain the carbon foam. Carbon foam made by this process is also described. Incorporating the carbon foam in a variety of end use applications including electrodes, thermal insulation material, polymers, and the like is also described.

Abstract: An activated carbon for use as a polarized electrode is brought into contact with an organic compound which forms an azeotropic mixture with water, so that the activated carbon is impregnated with the organic compound. Then, the activated carbon impregnated with the organic compound is dried with heat to remove the azeotropic mixture of the organic compound and the water. The activated carbon is immersed in the organic compound to impregnate the activated carbon with the organic compound. Preferably, when the organic compound forms an azeotropic mixture with water, the azeotropic mixture contains 28 weight % of water or more. The organic compound preferably comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of benzene, chlorobenzene, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, 1,4-dioxane, and methyl acetate, and more preferably comprises benzene.

Abstract: An activated carbon is disclosed having the following characteristics:

Abstract: A method and article of manufacture of purified expanded graphite formed by a method including expanding a graphite material from a first density to a smaller second density and following expansion, purifying the graphite material.

Abstract: Sulfonated carbon fibrils, method for preparing the sulfonated carbon fibrils, and electrodes prepared from the sulfonated carbon fibrils for use in supercapacitors or other energy storage devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A halogen treatment is conducted comprising: a halogenation step wherein a halogenation heat treatment for preparing a halogenated carbonized charcoal is conducted in which the carbonized charcoal is brought into contact with halogen; and a dehalogenation step wherein a dehalogenation treatment is conducted in which a part of or all halogen atoms in the halogenated carbonized charcoal are eliminated. A porous carbonaceous material is obtained at a high yield, and the amounts of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and methane adsorbed by this porous carbonaceous material are large. When this porous carbonaceous material is used as an electrical double layer capacitor carbon, the electrostatic capacity is increased compared to conventional carbonaceous materials. Consequently, a carbonaceous material is obtained which has micopores and/or sub-micropores which are suitable for the adsorption of small molecules such as nitrogen, and for storage of electrochemical energy.

Abstract: A method of processing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in the formation of superbundles or for use in hydrogen storage, or both, is provided comprising the steps of mixing a SWNT substrate in a solvent solution into a suspension, and agitating the suspension using an ultrasonic energy means.

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

Abstract: A fluorinated carbon fiber has a hollow core structure in which a number of hexagonal carbon layers in the shape of a cup having no bottom are stacked. Edges of the hexagonal carbon layers are exposed on the inner and outer surfaces of the fluorinated carbon fiber. In the fluorinated carbon fiber, the exposed edges of the hexagonal carbon layers are fluorinated and have a structure shown by CxFy.