Reactant Liquid System For Facilitating The Production Of Carbon Nanostructures

• US 20080050303A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anthony Wagner
• Original Assignee: Anthony Wagner
• Inventors: Wagner, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 7,815,886 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 423/439
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2202/02 Single-walled nanotubes
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2202/04 Nanotubes with a specific amount of walls
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/166 in liquid phase
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/18 Nanoonions; Nanoscrolls; Nanohorns; Nanocones; Nanowalls
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 32/90 Carbides
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/842 for carbon nanotubes or fullerenes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/844 Growth by vaporization or dissociation of carbon source using a high-energy heat source, e.g. electric arc, laser, plasma, e-beam

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.

Claims

1. A method including:

(a) introducing a carbon-bearing material into a reactant liquid;

(b) isolating carbon atoms from the carbon-bearing material as conditioned carbide anions located below a surface of the reactant liquid; and

(c) directing the conditioned carbide anions from the reactant liquid to a collection area.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the reactant liquid is made up of one or more liquid metals.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the reactant liquid includes predominantly aluminum.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the reactant liquid is held at a temperature of approximately 900 degrees Celsius.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the reactant liquid isolates carbon atoms from the carbon-bearing material by chemical reduction, chemical oxidation, or pyrolysis, or by reactions from acids, bases, or salts.

6. A method for placing carbon atoms in a state to facilitate carbon nanostructure assembly, the method including:

(a) isolating carbon atoms as conditioned carbide anions below a surface of a reactant liquid; and

(b) enabling the conditioned carbide anions to escape from the reactant liquid to a collection area.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the reactant liquid is made up of one or more liquid metals.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the reactant liquid includes predominantly aluminum.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the reactant liquid is held at a temperature of approximately 900 degrees Celsius.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein the reactant liquid isolates carbon atoms from a carbon-bearing material by chemical reduction, chemical oxidation, or pyrolysis, or by reactions from acids, bases, or salts.

11. A carbon structure including at least one layer made up of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms, each carbon atom having three covalent bonds to adjoining carbon atoms and one unbound pi electron.

12. The carbon structure of claim 11 wherein the layer of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms is wrapped around a central axis to form a tubular shape.

13. The carbon structure of claim 12 further including at least one additional layer of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms, each carbon atom having one unbound pi electron and three covalent bonds to adjoining carbon atoms in the respective additional layer.