PREPARATION OF A CARBON NANOMATERIAL USING A REVERSE MICROEMULSION
First Claim
1. A method for manufacturing a carbon nanomaterial, the method comprising,forming a reverse microemulsion comprising at least one non-polar solvent, at least one surfactant, and at least one polar solvent;
- adding at least one carbon precursor substance to the reverse microemulsion;
reacting the at least one carbon precursor substance so as to form an intermediate carbon nanomaterial;
separating the intermediate carbon nanomaterial from the reverse microemulsion; and
heating the intermediate carbon nanomaterial for a period of time so as to yield a carbon nanomaterial in which at least a portion of the carbon is graphitic.
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Abstract
Powdered, amorphous carbon nanomaterials are formed from a carbon precursor in reverse microemulsion that includes organic solvent, surfactant and water. Methods for manufacturing amorphous, powdered carbon nanomaterials generally include steps of (1) forming a reverse microemulsion including at least one non-polar solvent, at least one surfactant, and at least one polar solvent, (2) adding at least one carbon precursor substance to the reverse microemulsion, (3) reacting the at least one carbon precursor substance so as to form an intermediate carbon nanomaterial, (4) separating the intermediate amorphous carbon nanomaterial from the reverse microemulsion, and (5) heating the intermediate amorphous carbon nanomaterial for a period of time so as to yield an amorphous, powdered carbon nanomaterial. Amorphous, powdered carbon nanomaterials manufactured according to the present disclosure typically have a surface area of at least 500 m2/g, a graphitic content of at least 25%, and a conductivity of at least 150 S/m.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for manufacturing a carbon nanomaterial, the method comprising,
forming a reverse microemulsion comprising at least one non-polar solvent, at least one surfactant, and at least one polar solvent; -
adding at least one carbon precursor substance to the reverse microemulsion; reacting the at least one carbon precursor substance so as to form an intermediate carbon nanomaterial; separating the intermediate carbon nanomaterial from the reverse microemulsion; and heating the intermediate carbon nanomaterial for a period of time so as to yield a carbon nanomaterial in which at least a portion of the carbon is graphitic. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16)
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12. A method for manufacturing an amorphous carbon nanomaterial using a reverse microemulsion process, the method comprising,
forming a reverse microemulsion by vigorously stirring a solution containing at least one organic solvent, at least one surfactant, and water, wherein the reverse microemulsion includes a plurality of micelles, each of the plurality of micelles comprising: -
a water droplet and a plurality of surfactant molecules suspended in the organic solvent; adding at least one carbon precursor substance to the reverse microemulsion, wherein the at least one carbon precursor substance sequesters into the water droplets; adding at least one carbon precursor substance to the plurality of micelles while stirring vigorously; adding at least one catalyst to the reverse microemulsion containing the plurality of micelles, wherein the at least one catalyst sequesters into the water droplets; reacting the at least one carbon precursor substance in the presence of the catalyst for a period of time between about 1 hour and about 5 hours while stirring and maintaining a temperature between about 50°
C. and about 100°
C. so as to form an intermediate amorphous carbon nanomaterial;separating the intermediate amorphous carbon nanomaterial from the reverse microemulsion; and heating the intermediate amorphous carbon nanomaterial for a period of time between about 1 hour and about 6 hours in the presence of an inert atmosphere so as to yield an amorphous, powdered carbon nanomaterial having a surface area of at least 500 m2/g, a graphitic content of at least 25%, and a conductivity of at least 150 S/m.
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- 15. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the surfactant includes at least one of an octylphenol ethoxylate, a phosphonic acid, a phosphinic acid, a polyethylene glycol monoalkyl ether, or a sulfonic acid, and combinations thereof.
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17. A carbon nanomaterial, comprising:
an amorphous, powdered carbon nanomaterial having a surface area of at least 500 m2/g, a graphitic content of at least 25%, and a conductivity of at least 150 S/m. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
Specification