Applicator liquid containing ethyl lactate for preparation of nanotube films

• US 20050269554A1
• Filed: 06/03/2004
• Published: 12/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ZEON Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nantero Incorporated
• Inventors: Sivarajan, Ramesh, Segal, Brent M., Rueckes, Thomas, Sen, Rahul
• Granted Patent: US 7,658,869 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 252/500
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 10/00 Nanotechnology for information processing, storage or transmission, e.g. quantum computing or single electron logic
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C08K 5/101 of monocarboxylic acids
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 1/24 the conductive material comprising carbon-silicon compounds, carbon or silicon
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/742 Carbon nanotubes, CNTs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/753 with polymeric or organic binder
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/845 Purification or separation of fullerenes or nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/29 Coated or structually defined flake, particle, cell, strand, strand portion, rod, filament, macroscopic fiber or mass thereof

Abstract

Certain applicator liquids and application techniques are described, which can be used to form nanotube films or fabrics of controlled properties. An applicator liquid for preparation of a nanotube film or fabric includes a controlled concentration of nanotubes dispersed in ethyl lactate. The controlled concentration is sufficient to form a nanotube fabric or film of preselected density and uniformity.

Claims

1. An applicator liquid for preparation of a nanotube film or fabric, comprising a controlled concentration of nanotubes dispersed in ethyl lactate, wherein the controlled concentration is sufficient to form a nanotube fabric or film of preselected density and uniformity.

2. The applicator liquid of claim 1, wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 1 mg/L.

3. The applicator liquid of claim 1, wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 100 mg/L.

4. The applicator liquid of claim 1, wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 1000 mg/L.

5. The applicator liquid of claim 1, wherein the nanotubes are homogeneously distributed in ethyl lactate without precipitation or flocculation.

6. The applicator liquid of claim 1, wherein the liquid is substantially free of particle impurities having a diameter of greater than about 500 nm.

7. The applicator liquid of claim 6, wherein the particles comprise carbonaceous particles.

8. The applicator liquid of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises less than 1×

10¹⁸ atoms/cm³ of metal impurities.

9. The applicator liquid of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises less than 15×

10¹⁰ atoms/cm³ of metal impurities.

10. An applicator liquid for preparation of a nanotube film, comprising a distribution of nanotubes in ethyl lactate, wherein the nanotubes remain separate from one another without precipitation or flocculation for a time sufficient to apply the applicator liquid to a surface.

11. The applicator liquid of claim 10, wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 1 mg/L.

12. The applicator liquid of claim 10, wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 10 mg/L.

13. The applicator liquid of claim 10, wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 100 mg/L.

14. The applicator liquid of claim 10, wherein the nanotubes remain separate from one another for at least one hour.

15. The applicator liquid of claim 10, wherein the nanotubes remain separate from one another for at least 24 hours.

16. The applicator liquid of claim 10, wherein the nanotubes remain separate from one another for at least one week.

17. The applicator liquid of claim 10, wherein the liquid is substantially free of particle impurities having a diameter greater than about 500 nm.

18. The applicator liquid of claim 10, wherein the liquid comprises less than 1×

10¹⁸ atoms/cm³ of metal impurities

19. The applicator liquid of claim 10, wherein the liquid comprises less than 15×

10¹⁰ atoms/cm³ of metal impurities.

20. A nanotube composition comprising a plurality of nanotubes in ethyl lactate medium, wherein the nanotubes are substantially separate from one another and homogeneously distributed throughout the ethyl lactate medium.

21. The nanotube composition of claim 20, wherein the nanotubes remain distributed without substantial precipitation or flocculation.

22. The nanotube composition of claim 20, wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 1 mg/L.

23. The nanotube composition of claim 20, wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 10 mg/L.

24. The nanotube composition of claim 20, wherein the nanotubes are at a concentration of greater than 100 mg/L.

25. The nanotube composition of claim 20, wherein the nanotubes remain homogeneously distributed for at least one hour.

26. The nanotube composition of claim 20, wherein the nanotubes remain homogeneously distributed for at least 24 hours.

27. The nanotube composition of claim 20, wherein the nanotubes remain homogeneously distributed for at least one week.

28. The nanotube composition of claim 20, wherein the composition is substantially free of particle impurities having a diameter of greater than about 500 nm.

29. The nanotube composition of claim 20, wherein the composition comprises less than 1×

10¹⁸ atoms/cm³ of metal impurities.

30. The nanotube composition of claim 20, wherein the composition comprises less than 15×

10¹⁰ atoms/cm³ of metal impurities.