Nanofibers with modified optical properties

• US 20050287042A1
• Filed: 08/22/2003
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: University of Akron
• Original Assignee: University of Akron
• Inventors: Reneker, Darrel H., Smith, Daniel J., Chase, George G., Evans, Edward A., Ramsier, Rex D.
• Application Number:
  US10/525,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20050287042A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/88
• 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 20/00 Nanooptics, e.g. quantum optics or photonic crystals
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/77062 Silicates
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 2201/30469 Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 31/02168 the coatings being antireflective or having enhancing optical properties for the solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249921 Web or sheet containing structurally defined element or component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2918 including free carbon or carbide or therewith [not as steel]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/294 including metal or compound thereof [excluding glass, ceramic and asbestos]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2958 Metal or metal compound in coating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2964 Artificial fiber or filament

Abstract

Nanofibers modified to alter their optical properties in the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum, which nanofibers can be used in applications ranging from identification technology to energy conversion devices (e.g., thermophotovoltaics) to stealth technology. The desired optical properties can be obtained by modifying the fibers with rare earth and other materials and then can be incorporated into garments or other composite structures or can be applied as coatings on solid surfaces, to be used in a number of applications that benefit from selective emission properties.

Claims

1. A nanofiber coated or doped with at least one optical material.

2. The nanofiber of claim 1 wherein the nanofiber is selected from the group consisting of a polymer nanofiber, a carbon fiber nanofiber, a ceramic nanofiber and mixtures thereof.

3. The nanofiber of claim 1 wherein the optical material is selected from the group consisting of metal, metal oxide, rare earth metal, group IV material, and mixtures thereof.

4. The nanofiber of claim 1 wherein the optical material is selected from the group consisting of cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium, their oxides, carbides, borides, and nitrides, and mixtures thereof.

5. The nanofiber of claim 1 wherein the nanofiber is selected from the group consisting of polydiphenoxyphosphazene, SiO, titania, and mixtures thereof and the coating is selected from the group consisting of erbium, homia, ytterbia, and mixtures thereof.

6. The nanofiber of claim 1 wherein the nanofiber is additionally coated or impregnated with catalyst particles whereby the catalyst will produce heat through exothermic reactions with reagents exposed to the nanofibers.

7. The nanofiber of claim 1 wherein the nanofiber is additionally doped with rare earth metal or metals that can produce colors in the near-IR portion of the spectrum.

8. The nanofiber of claim 1 wherein the optical material is present in an effective amount to produce a response to thermal energy and to result in the emittance of detectable radiation.

9. The nanofiber of claim 1 wherein the optical material is present in an amount of 5% to 50% by weight based upon the weight of the nanofiber.

10. The nanofiber of claim 1 wherein the optical material is present in an amount of 10% to 45% by weight based upon the weight of the nanofiber.

11. The nanofiber of claim 1 wherein the optical material is present in an amount of 15% to 45% by weight based upon the weight of the nanofiber.

12. The nanofiber of claim 1 wherein the optical material is present in an amount of 10% to 35% by weight based upon the weight of the nanofiber.

13. The nanofiber of claim 1 wherein the optical material is present in an amount of 15% to 30% by weight based upon the weight of the nanofiber.

14. The nanofiber of claim 1 wherein the optical material is present in an amount of 5% to 50% by weight based upon the weight of the nanofiber.

15. The nanofiber of claim 1 wherein the nanofiber is additionally doped with rare earth metal or metals selected from the group consisting of erbia, homia, ytterbia, and mixtures thereof that can produce colors in the near-IR portion of the spectrum.

16. The use of the nanofiber of claim 6 as chemical or biological agent sensors.

17. The use of the nanofibers of claim 1 in energy conversion systems.

18. The use of the nanofiber of claim 1 in a thermophotovoltaic device.

19. Fabric that has incorporated the nanofiber of claim 1.

20. The use of the nanofiber of claim 1 to produce detectable near-IR radiation.