DISPERSIBLE CARBON NANOSPHERES AND METHODS FOR MAKING SAME
First Claim
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1. A method for manufacturing dispersible carbon nanospheres, comprising:
- (i) providing a carbon nanomaterial comprising a plurality of multi-walled, graphitic carbon nanospheres;
(ii) providing a surfactant solution that includes a cationic surfactant; and
(iii) mixing the carbon nanomaterial with the surfactant solution under conditions suitable for bonding the cationic surfactant to the graphitic carbon nanospheres to yield a dispersible carbon nanomaterial.
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Abstract
The carbon nanomaterials and methods relate to methods for causing carbon nanospheres to be readily dispersible in a material. The carbon nanospheres are rendered dispersible using a cationic surfactant. The surfactant includes one or more cationic group that can bond to the surface of the carbon nanospheres, without detrimentally affecting the unique properties of carbon nanospheres. The dispersible carbon nanospheres can be dried (i.e., solvent is driven off) while maintaining their dispersibility in solvents and other materials.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for manufacturing dispersible carbon nanospheres, comprising:
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(i) providing a carbon nanomaterial comprising a plurality of multi-walled, graphitic carbon nanospheres; (ii) providing a surfactant solution that includes a cationic surfactant; and (iii) mixing the carbon nanomaterial with the surfactant solution under conditions suitable for bonding the cationic surfactant to the graphitic carbon nanospheres to yield a dispersible carbon nanomaterial. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for manufacturing dispersible carbon nanospheres, comprising:
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(i) providing a carbon nanomaterial comprising a plurality of multi-walled, graphitic carbon nanospheres; (ii) providing a surfactant solution that includes a cationic surfactant having an aromatic ring that includes a cationic group; and (iii) mixing the carbon nanomaterial with the surfactant solution under conditions suitable for bonding the cationic surfactant to the graphitic carbon nanospheres to yield a dispersible carbon nanomaterial, wherein the mixing includes sonicating for at least about 30 minutes, the mixing yielding a dispersible carbon nanomaterial having a conductivity of at least about 200 S/m. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for manufacturing dispersible carbon nanospheres, comprising:
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(i) providing a carbon nanomaterial comprising a plurality of multi-walled, graphitic carbon nanospheres; (ii) providing a surfactant solution that includes a cationic surfactant having at least two cationic groups separated by a carbon chain; and (iii) mixing the carbon nanomaterial with the surfactant solution under conditions suitable for bonding the cationic surfactant to the graphitic carbon nanospheres to yield a dispersible carbon nanomaterial, wherein the mixing includes sonicating for at least about 30 minutes, the mixing yielding a dispersible carbon nanomaterial having a density greater than about 0.4 g/ml. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification