Method of opening and filling carbon nanotubes

• US 6,090,363 A
• Filed: 04/10/1997
• Issued: 07/18/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Isis Innovation Limited
• Original Assignee: Isis Innovation Limited
• Inventors: Green, Malcolm L. H., Tsang, Shik C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Griffin, Steven P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DI MAURO, PETER T
• Application Number:
  US08/809,323
• Time in Patent Office: 1,195 Days
• Field of Search: 423/445 B, 423/DIG. 39, 423/DIG. 40, 423/447.2, 423/460, 423/447.1, 427/216
• US Class Current: 423/447.1
• 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 32/178 Opening; Filling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 423/40 Fullerene composition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/848 Tube end modifications, e.g. capping, joining, splicing

Abstract

Method of making carbon nanotubes open on at least one end wherein capped nanotubes are treated with an oxidizing acid such as nitric acid. The treatment is effective to open at least 50% of the nanotubes on at least one end.

Claims

1. A method of making carbon nanotubes open on at least one end, which method comprises treating capped nanotubes by refluxing said capped nanotubes in a liquid phase oxidizing acid which is capable of opening capped nanotubes, said treatment being effective to open at least 50% of the nanotubes on at least one end.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the nanotubes are refluxed in nitric acid.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the nanotubes which have been opened on at least one end are treated with a liquid containing dispersed or dissolved therein a material for deposition in the uncapped nanotubes.

3. A method of making carbon nanotubes open on at least one end and containing material deposited therein, which method comprises treating capped nanotubes by refluxing said capped nanotubes in a liquid phase oxidizing acid which is capable of opening capped nanotubes and which contains dissolved or dispersed therein a material for deposition in the uncapped nanotubes, said treatment being effective to open at least 50% of nanotubes on at least one end.

4. A method according to claim 3, wherein the oxidising acid is nitric acid.

5. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the material for desposition in the uncapped nanotubes is a metal salt.